Google Search is the most popular search engine of the web.
In the days where COVID-19 is still around, and when people can still get sick with whatever diseases, Google has introduced a useful update. Here, the search engine has introduced a way for users to show available appointments for participating medical practices.
If 2019-2022 has proven anything, taking care of health is very essential. After all, the world is still adapting to COVID-19, trying to consider it an endemic, not anymore a pandemic.
Not only that keeping a hygienic habit, eating regularly and having enough sleep is essential, going to the doctor for regular check-ups is also important for many people.
When users can already check movie times and dinner reservations directly from the search engine, the feature to check for doctors should be among the most welcome feature.
This feature should further strengthen Google in the business.
To make this feature happen, Google leverages its influence in the search engine business, utilizing the massive amount of data it has about healthcare providers.
Through the feature, users can locate and create appointments right from the search engine.
This feature works on top of some of the business and insurance features Google already has.
"Whether you put off your annual checkup, recently moved and need a new doctor, or are looking for a same-day visit to a MinuteClinic at CVS, you might see available appointment dates and times for doctors in your area," explained Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Google’s Chief Health Officer, in a blog post.
With the feature, Google hopes that it can help shorten wait times for getting medical attention.
But still, users would still have to make appointments with medical professionals separate from the search platform, a Google representative said in a briefing.
What it is doing here, is to only provide the gateway for users to book appointments with doctors.
"The pandemic has really strengthened our resolve as a company that we could and should apply our technologies to see that we can be helpful to everyone, everywhere, as they live their lives and encounter their health journey," said Dr. Karen DeSalvo in a press call.
"It also really strengthened our resolve about how important it is to think about meeting people where they are on the products that they're already using every day."
During the launch, Google has partnered with CVS' MinuteClinic as well as online scheduling companies to support the tool.
Initially, the roll out is only for users in the U.S., and is only in English.
According to Jackie DeJesse, Product Manager at Google, the project is still in the early stages and should continue to be developed over time.
"We hope to expand features, functionality and our network of partners so we can make it easier for people to get the care they need," DeJesse said.
Previously, Google has shuttered its standalone health division, and integrated various teams working on the projects into other of Alphabet's business units. But with the update to Google Search, the company shows that it still has the ambition to play a bigger role in the sector.
Besides the update to the search engine, Google has held an event called "The Check Up" with Google Health, where it announced its plans to use smartphone cameras to detect some eye diseases, having phone microphones to pick up irregular heartbeats, and to bring more accurate local health information to Japanese, Brazilian and Indian users.