Patients shy about their condition flock to the web and avoid their GP

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A poll of more than 2,000 adults has revealed that embarrassment about a condition - or the GP's examination to diagnose it - keeps them away from the surgery.

Instead, 38 per cent prefer to try to work out what's wrong by looking up symptoms on the internet.

More than one in ten admitted buying medication online and 13 per cent said they had "consulted" a medical professional in this way.

The conditions listed in the poll for UKTV Style included sexually transmitted infections and anything to do with the bowels - 48 per cent said either would make them think twice about visiting the doctor.

The thought of a physical examination kept 44 per cent away.

Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs' Committee, warned about the danger of any diagnosis on the internet.

He said: "The person on the other end may not be a doctor. That's very dangerous."

Some of the respondents blamed poor personal service - less than a third said they saw the same doctor from one appointment to another at their surgery.

Dr Buckman believes it is up to GPs to make sure consultations are not embarrassing - and up to patients to ask for the same doctor.

He said: "Most GPs are sensitive to the needs of patients who have got something awkward to say.

"And receptionists are sensitive to patients' needs. It is a lot quicker seeing the doctor you saw last time."

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has introduced a logo so the public can identify the websites of legitimate online chemists.