The Google Doc Will See You Now
The internet is a dangerous place to get medical advice but it looks like Google are trying to bring an end to all the misdiagnosis through people searching their symptoms on the internet and arriving at the wrong conclusion.
An image posted on Reddit recently shows a Google search for knee pain, with an option for the user to video chat with a doctor to discuss their symptoms.
And although it seems a bit hard to believe, Google has confirmed to several different outlets that this is a new feature that currently in testing phase. A spokesperson told Gizmodo “When you’re searching for basic health information … our goal is provide you with the most helpful information available. We’re trying this new feature to see if it’s useful to people.”
The feature is said to be part of the Google’s Helpouts platform which connects users with experts over live video. Experts will be able to charge a fee or offer advice for free. Currently Google has advised that they will be covering these costs while in the test phase.
Google aren’t the first company to introduce the feature. Telemedicine companies like Spruce and Better are available and they charge for their services.
Spruce is an app available that connects users with board certified dermatologists to offer treatment plans for sufferers of skin disorders within 24 hours.
Better promises to be your personal doctor, recording your health and checking your symptoms, this app even has a contact number available for a nurse at a cost of around $20 a month
And while these two apps offer support for people they are limited to the US. I hope to see Google expand their horizons with this feature by offering it to the likes of the UK and Ireland and the rest of Europe.
A glorious day for the hypchondriacs in us !
