Google Health

Posted on May 20, 2008

Google has officially launched yet another product, this one designed to help you take control of health matters, especially record keeping.

While it remains to be seen whether entrusting your personal health records to Google is ultimately a good idea, the service does offer some value as a convenient online place to store and manage your health information. There has certainly been quite a good deal of discussion already as to whether there are real personal privacy uses involved.

If you already have a Google account, either for Gmail, Picasa Web Albums, or another of the company’s many online services, you may begin using Google Health . Just use your existing login info to get started. If you don’t yet have a Google account, go to google.com/health and click Sign Up to get started. The service collects only your name and requires you to select a username and password. Once you’re signed up, you’ll be dropped into a fairly empty-looking profile page where you can fill in details to your profile. Unless you’re among the tiny handful of people whose medical services are already in digital form and ready to be shared with Google Health by their health care organization, getting your information into Google Health is largely a manual process.

You can enter any medical conditions, medications, allergies, procedures, test results, or immunizations that may be relevant to your health. The interface is simple and straightforward. Click the appropriate tab at the top of the screen, and then start typing the name of your condition, allergy, or what-have-you into the text field. Google Health will attempt to auto-complete your entry, showing you a list of possible matches. When you find the one you want to enter, select it by clicking on it and then click the +Add button.

The medical services industry, from your insurance company to your corner pharmacy — may begin linking to sites like Google Health so you can import all of your health records automatically and automatically share them with your doctor. At present, however, only a few companies have the ability to link to your Google Health profile.