Google, Microsoft and Your Digital Health
Aug 14, 2007
In today's New York Times, Steve Lohr writes about how tech titans Google and Microsoft hope to revolutionize the healthcare industry by digitizing patient records and medical information so consumers can take a more active role in managing their healthcare. Entering the consumer healthcare market is a major undertaking, especially considering that only about 20 percent of U.S. patient records today are available electronically. There are also privacy concerns and regulatory hurdles to overcome. Still, according to Lohr, "if the efforts of the two big companies gain momentum over time, that promises to accelerate a shift in power to consumers in health care, just as Internet technology has done in other industries."
So what does each company have up its proverbial sleeve? While exact details of their plans are still under wraps, the Times article provides these hints:
- Google Health, which is expected to debut some time in 2008, will include a "health profile" with information on patient medications and conditions; a "health guide" with suggested treatments, drug interactions, etc.; reminders for prescription refills and doctor appointments and a directory of nearby doctors.
- Microsoft, which already develops software that is used in doctors' offices and hospitals, is expected to unveil consumer products later this year that include software and Web-based services that allow people to find and manage healthcare info on their computer and other digital devices like cellphones.
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