Comments for Google Health: Do a Search And Call Me in The Morning...

Google Health: Do a Search And Call Me in The Morning...

2008-10-08T08:28:35Z

Leading health blogger Amy Tenderich has just posted an illuminating interview with Missy Krasner, Product Marketing Manager for Google Health. When Google Health was launched to the public in May, we at ReadWriteWeb gave it a tepid review. We concluded that Google Health was not much more than a glorified health search engine / portal. For example, there is little in the way of integration with health professionals - users need to import their own data into the service. We also raised questions about users comfort level in putting such personal data online. Tenderich's interview teases out some responses to those concerns.

]]> Missy Krasner said that Google's intention was to create "a repository or a platform for users to store their medical records online." They've made APIs publicly available for developers "to come forward and develop services on." Essentially then, if it's sophisticated online health apps you're after, it's up to third parties to provide them.

Integrate Your Stuff Here

Krasner cited MyCareTeam, a third party diabetes management application which she says is using Google Health to "to integrate their stuff into our repository for health records."

According to the press release in May about this integration, the MyCareTeam product allows users to transfer their glucose readings, lab values, medication, and other information from their software into their Google Health accounts. It is mostly a manual process, however Krasner pointed out that users can upload their data "automatically using LifeScan OneTouch meters". She admitted though that Google is "still in the very early stages, so these services are still growing and developing."

Online Health Constraints

The issue with moving health records online though is that there is a lot of rules and regulations to contend with. However Tenderich asked Krasner why Google isn't doing more, for example by offering a secure messaging system to allow patients to discuss their health issues with their doctors. Krasner's reply shows how this is too much of a red tape jungle for even the mighty Google to overcome:

"This goes back to the health records platform model. We're not in the business of offering secure messaging back and forth with doctors. What we're doing is giving people options to use great services that do offer that functionality.

For example, we integrate with web sites from the big retail pharmacy chains and provider sites like CVS, Walgreens and Quest Diagnostics labs. You can't order refills directly through Google Health, but you can import your prescription history, and you can send data back to the pharmacies via their sites."

So users have to leave the Google Health site when they need to make a medical transaction or even communicate securely with health professionals.

Business Model? Pffft, Search!

Luckily, Google Health's business model isn't reliant on any sophisticated online health technology. What is the business model? Why, sending Google Health users to Google's search property of course!

Kraser admitted that "there is no direct monetization model for Google Health", rather their model "is simply that when people sign up, it tends to encourage users to do more searches on Google.com. That's where we make our money. Every page of Google Health has [a] search box on the side. If you click on it, it takes you out to Google.com."

But "none of your health data goes with [it]", she assured.

So it's slow progress in the online health world, if Google Health is anything to go by. The good news though is that it allows smaller more health-focused startups, like MyCareTeam, to create innovative applications and hook them into Google Health, Microsoft Healthvault, and other bigco initiatives - using APIs and the platforms the big companies are able to offer.

Click here for a good cause: Ask Google for a World Diabetes Day Doodle

Comment from martha on 2008-10-08

2008-10-08T11:24:15Z

Ok, first---On-line Health Records are SCARY. Why? Because the same privacy rules and rights don't apply to on-line health sites i.e. HIPPA. Revolution Health, Healthvault are included in this bunch as well. It’s not the security to get the records up there to be concerned with; it's what is happening to our records when they do get to this "repository". Here is another really SCARY site. http://www.mymethodist.net/myehealth/index.aspx This news anchor has some connection to this on-line medical record hospital. She encourages Moms and Dads to put their kid’s medical records on-line...Problem? You bet it is....By the time my child reaches 18--it’s hard to say who would know what types of diseases my child had. PLEASE PLEASE writes about the Privacy of our Medical Records first. I am not associated with this site, I promise, but Dr. Deborah Peel at http://www.patientprivacyrights.org is on our side. She is fighting for just that; to keep our records really private. Check out her site, and you will know immediately why this is so important. Bottom line is this; health records are supposed to help save lives. With all of the health islands of information on the internet--how can they? Let me give you a scenario to make my point. Heaven forbid you are in an accident near let’s say, The Cleveland Clinic because you travel to Cleveland on business. You are rushed to the emergency room. The doctor’s want to ask you what medications you are on--but you are unconscious. (You actually live near The Mayo Clinic in MN, and you have put your health information on Microsoft's Healthvault). Now how in the world is an on-line health record going to help this poor sole! My point EXACTLY! Now let’s talk about another SCARY situation. The health insurance companies like Aetna (as an example). They have their own on-line health records too! How Convenient! Here is your next story. "Hundreds of jobs are denied because your insurance company shared your health records with your future employer!" Think I'm kidding...jump on this story...as it is only a matter of time. So what is the answer? There is one clear cut answer until our privacy is protected. CARRY A SHEET OF PAPER in your purse or wallet with all of your allergies, medicines, and emergency contacts! ITS SO SIMPLE, and that my friend...could save your life.

Comment from Ad Manager on 2008-10-08

2008-10-08T14:57:53Z

With so many second-rate products, Google is bleeding hard and it reflects in their dropping stock price ($345)

Comment from ohcomeon on 2008-10-08

2008-10-08T18:17:20Z

@Ad Manager

Did you even read your words before you hit submit? The whole entire market is taking huge hits right now. Do you read the paper? Get online much?

Google's drop in price is no reflection of "second-rate products." Rather, we should thank Google for being around and adding more investment options for our economy.

Twit.

Comment from Health 2.0 Proponent on 2008-10-08

2008-10-08T22:17:40Z

@martha

Your SCARY scenario is quite short-sighted. While the idea of centralized medical records isn't new by any means, it certainly will take us some time, and legislation, to get there. However, once we're there, your SCARY scenario isn't quite so scary.

And quite frankly, if your medical records were online in a secure, central repository, emergency personnel anywhere in the world could access your records immediately - whether at the scene of your accident or in the hospital - and potentially save your life.

But as long as you carry your little piece of paper with you wherever you go, and keep it updated every time you change your meds, you're safe.

I'm guessing you don't use online banking, either.

Comment from Richard MacManus on 2008-10-08

2008-10-08T23:33:37Z

@martha, I have to agree with 'Health 2.0 Proponent' (comment 4) on this. I do however recognize that security/privacy is far and away the biggest issue here. We're still not at the point where consumers can fully trust online solutions when it comes to that most personal of personal data, one's health records.

Even me, one of the early adopters, I feel squeemish about putting my personal health data online. I have used online banking for years tho ;-)

Comment from mndoci.myopenid.com on 2008-10-08

2008-10-09T04:24:06Z

I wrote about this last night, but will say it again. In recent months, I have had to fill in the same paper form, with the same data at various doctors, etc. To get information from one, requires filling up another form, and then making sure the data gets to the other one (which it didn't). I appreciate the challenges in managing health information, whether it's your own, or information captured in medical records, as well as why people might be afraid.

But we need to practice 21st century medicine, one that allows us to manage our health information more efficiently.

By the way, HIPAA is target at physicians and insurance providers, not you. Their EMRs need to be HIPAA compliant. In fact, one could argue that HIPAA would need to be modified if you, as the consumer have control of the data and data access.

Comment from martha on 2008-10-09

2008-10-09T15:54:41Z

@ Health 2.0 Proponent So, let me understand what you were trying to communicate in your post. That you believe Google, Healthvault and Revolution Health are all going to be able to share data (i.e. our health records) in case of emergency...in one big central repository? THAT WILL NEVER NEVER HAPPEN! So, how can my health record stored in Healthvault help me at Cleveland Clinic (when they work with Google)? My point is this...I'm all for electronic health records! But I have 2 problems. First, the islands of health information which are being created on the internet and secondly, NO PRIVACY RIGHTS on line! Here you go... from Google's site--http://www.google.com/intl/en/privacypolicy.html#infosharing

In there, read the first sentence, and the first three bullets: SCARY!!!

You know, there is an interesting statistic...Less than 3% of the US population even use a health record anyway..and I think it would be a fair guess to assume that all of the people writing about this in this blog don't carry one either!

Comment from martha on 2008-10-09

2008-10-09T15:57:11Z

@mndoci.myopenid.com --Your comment about HIPPA is not correct. Please visit this site and it will explain to you the facts.
http://patientprivacyrights.org

Comment from National Dialogue on 2008-11-02

2008-11-03T07:41:06Z

FYI there’s a discussion going on about these issues now (Oct 27-Nov 3) at: www.thenationaldialogue.org

It’s called the National Dialogue on Health IT & Privacy. On the site, you can contribute ideas, and read and rate others’ ideas. Watch in real time as the best ideas “rise to the top.”

The results of this online dialogue are being compiled into a report to the Federal CIO Council, Office of Management and Budget, and the incoming Administration by the National Academy of Public Administrators. **
Hope to see you there,
Roz @ The National Dialogue