Google is testing physician video chat service

Laura Pedulli | | Health Exec | Precision Medicine

Google is piloting a feature that offers live video chats with medical professionals to searchers researching certain medical conditions, reports several news sources.

The service would tie to its product, Helpouts, a website that links users to experts on anything from home repair and guitar lessons to cooking tips. Google has confirmed this move in a statement. "When you're searching for basic health information—from conditions like insomnia or food poisoning—our goal is provide you with the most helpful information available," according to a Google spokeswoman. "We're trying this new feature to see if it’s useful to people."

During the pilot, Google is covering all the costs for the online consultations, according to The Washington Post. Only certain conditions trigger this feature, while for many Google directs searchers to set up an appointment with a medical professional.

Laura Pedulli

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