Google is reportedly undertaking tests on a new feature for its search engine that will allow users to dial into a video call directly to a doctor simply from results returned when the user searches for illnesses and symptoms.
These medical search results will show a "talk with a doctor now" option that, when clicked, launches a free-of-charge video call that will be similar to how Google's Helpouts support works. However, instead of technical support, the user will be talking to a doctor in the video call to discuss the symptoms that the user searched for. The doctor will then give a diagnosis or some advice on how to properly deal with the illness or its symptoms.
Google's testing was first discovered by Jason Houle, a web developer from Springfield, Massachusetts. Houle's search on Google for knee pain returned the "talk with a doctor now" option for a video call.
"Based on your search query, we think you are trying to understand a medical condition," said the accompanying text box for the feature. "Here you can find health care providers who you can visit with over video chat."
According to Google, all the video calls being made to doctors during the trial peiord, which is currently limited to users within Massachusetts and California, are free because all charges will be assumed by Google.
This will be a major benefit for users, as doctors' consultations can sometimes be very expensive, requiring either a lot of money at hand or a health insurance plan.
"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," said a spokeswoman for Google.
The doctors' trial consultations are not the first instance that Google tried other uses for the Helpouts video call service, which is able to connect users with various experts in specific fields through a variation on the Google Hangouts feature.
Google Helpouts offered video calls to doctors for One Medical Group insurance holders last year, with users being able to request for a consultation video chat to a doctor in as fast as 20 minutes.
Google's decision to move the testing to include the standard searches made through its search engine shows the company's continued entry into the health industry, representing an opportunity for lucrative financial gains as the U.S. healthcare sector has a value of $3 trillion.
