Fascinating, upsetting, encouraging. The poor people trying to find out what's wrong with themselves or their kids! It looks exhausting and overwhelming.
The crowd sourcing idea is great. Reaching out to the whole globe to get help. People are arguing; if it is not professional medical advice isn't that negligent? Well, sometimes it IS a Dr or med student replying, sometimes a member of the public, often thousands reply and offer suggestions. Who cares if they're professional if it's just a way of getting some more information and new options? The ideas that seem viable are followed up at hospitals to see if tests prove it one way or another and it has proven to be a life changer for some. Each episode could be 15 minutes shorter though as they do drag on a little.
What it does also show is how awful the health care system in USA is. People with extreme conditions that noone can diagnose being charged thousands for testing that proves nothing? I'm sorry but how far behind the times! Almost all first world countries have a free healthcare system for situations just like this and that's highlighted when one episode shows some testing done free in Italy. You can pay to go private but being low income doesn't exclude you from getting medical help in most countries. How sad to go bankrupt over medical bills when noone can help you! There are some lovely, helpful doctors but they're hamstrung by a flawed system.
However, the good outweighs the bad in this series. It shows strangers coming together from all round the world to help people who are feeling overwhelmed by their illness. A good use for the internet.
