Google in Healthcare?
That's right, the word on the street is that Google is making a push into health related internet services. To my knowledge, Google hasn't announced anything and exactly what this means is purely speculative at this point, but there are several tips that indicate they are definitely up to something.
Firstly, a recent article in Tuesday, March 21 edition of the Wall Street Journal mentioned that a high profile Google geek (Adam Bosworth) is in charge of the mysterious "Google Health" division and even has business cards that read "Architect, Google Health". I checked out Adam's weblog and he has not posted anything new since November 2005! My guess is that Google has put a muzzle order on him and/or he is too busy figuring out what to do with "Google Health".
Secondly, It is no secret that Microsoft and Yahoo have been attempting to get into the Healthcare arena for quit some time now, without a big splash (my opinion). So naturally, it would appear that Google should be thinking about healthcare or should I say will be thinking about healthcare. Heck why not, the healthcare industry is dazed and confused, what better place to make money (which Google is damn good at!).
Now, I realize people are already using Google today to search for health related information, so essentially Google is involved in Healthcare whether they like it or not, but is that enough? I have heard that Google may index and organize health related information into a "vertical search"to make things easier to find. However, I wonder if this would truly add any value to healthcare or just generate another targeted audience where Google can generate ad revenue?
I cannot answer that question, but I would hardly call it a "big splash" and a bit boring if that is all they did. Google has the geeks and the capital to do something a bit more revolutionary.
In my opinion, Google should make a sweet deal and acquire Digg.com, then use this technology to disseminate valuable health related information.
For those of you who are not aware of Digg.com, It is a website that combines social bookmarking, blogging, RSS, and non-hierarchical editorial control. With digg, users submit stories for review, but rather than allow an editor to decide which stories go on the homepage, the users do.
Today, Digg.com is primarily focused on technology related information, however with a few controls, this could be the perfect medium for health related information. It would be significantly more useful than a vertical search. I could envision physicians, nurses & patients creating, sharing and digging highly valuable information in harmony.
Now of course this would just be a stepping stone in using newer technologies to change healthcare, but I think it would be an important step.
Whatever the direction Google takes I am sure it will create a lot of buzz. So Adam (Mr. Bosworth) if you are reading this, do something different! Make something happen dude!
Firstly, a recent article in Tuesday, March 21 edition of the Wall Street Journal mentioned that a high profile Google geek (Adam Bosworth) is in charge of the mysterious "Google Health" division and even has business cards that read "Architect, Google Health". I checked out Adam's weblog and he has not posted anything new since November 2005! My guess is that Google has put a muzzle order on him and/or he is too busy figuring out what to do with "Google Health".
Secondly, It is no secret that Microsoft and Yahoo have been attempting to get into the Healthcare arena for quit some time now, without a big splash (my opinion). So naturally, it would appear that Google should be thinking about healthcare or should I say will be thinking about healthcare. Heck why not, the healthcare industry is dazed and confused, what better place to make money (which Google is damn good at!).
Now, I realize people are already using Google today to search for health related information, so essentially Google is involved in Healthcare whether they like it or not, but is that enough? I have heard that Google may index and organize health related information into a "vertical search"to make things easier to find. However, I wonder if this would truly add any value to healthcare or just generate another targeted audience where Google can generate ad revenue?
I cannot answer that question, but I would hardly call it a "big splash" and a bit boring if that is all they did. Google has the geeks and the capital to do something a bit more revolutionary.
In my opinion, Google should make a sweet deal and acquire Digg.com, then use this technology to disseminate valuable health related information.
For those of you who are not aware of Digg.com, It is a website that combines social bookmarking, blogging, RSS, and non-hierarchical editorial control. With digg, users submit stories for review, but rather than allow an editor to decide which stories go on the homepage, the users do.
Today, Digg.com is primarily focused on technology related information, however with a few controls, this could be the perfect medium for health related information. It would be significantly more useful than a vertical search. I could envision physicians, nurses & patients creating, sharing and digging highly valuable information in harmony.
Now of course this would just be a stepping stone in using newer technologies to change healthcare, but I think it would be an important step.
Whatever the direction Google takes I am sure it will create a lot of buzz. So Adam (Mr. Bosworth) if you are reading this, do something different! Make something happen dude!
posted by HIT Dude at 2:35 PM
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