As the web is a wealth of information, it's typically one of the first places people go to search for symptoms when they are feeling unwell.
In acknowledgement of this, Google has changed the way that it displays information when search terms related to common symptoms are plugged into its engine. At the top of the search results, Google now displays a list of medical conditions that could be tied to particular symptoms, such a headaches, the common cold and more. This information was drawn from Google's own Knowledge Graph, as well as experts from the Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic.
While this information is not meant to be a replacement for advice from a medical professional, Google also does suggest a few self-treatment options that may prevent the need to see a doctor.
Diagnostic Search Engines
A Search for Symptoms on Google Now Calls Up Related Conditions
Trend Themes
1. Medical Symptom Search - Using search engines to find information about medical symptoms and related conditions.
2. Symptom-based Diagnosis - Utilizing symptom data to generate a list of potential medical conditions.
3. Online Self-treatment - Offering self-treatment options based on search results to potentially avoid seeing a doctor.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - The healthcare industry can leverage diagnostic search engines to provide more accurate information to patients.
2. Technology - Enhancing search engine algorithms to provide better symptom-based diagnosis options.
3. Pharmaceuticals - Using search results to recommend self-treatment options that can be supported by pharmaceutical products.