Google to apply its technology to health information

SAN FRANCISCO Google is planning on applying its web search technology to a general set of health information problems, according to Reuters.

Noticing, by accident, the number of searches conducted by users in regards to hard-to-diagnose health problems, Google decided to start a service to categorize high quality healthcare and other information. Google will also look to see how they can transfer personal health records that give users “a lot of control” over who can see such sensitive documents, according to Marissa Mayer, vice president of Search Products & User Experience.

The company also is looking at creating a special layer of doctor and medical-related locations on its online Google Maps service. This could help people find local doctors, understand their specialties or related practitioners.