Google worked with physicians from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic to fact-check the results for 400 common health-related searches, such as “the common cold” or “rabies,” according to USA Today. Medically accurate, vetted information appears immediately on the right side of the page, offering symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention information along with a suggestion of going to see a physician “if you have a medical concern.” The rest of the search data appears in the column on the left side of the page.
Of the 100 billion monthly searches conducted on Google, approximately 5 percent are healthcare-related, according to the report.
While the new format is currently only available in the U.S., the reliability of the information could be useful for parents in countries where access to medical professionals is limited, Amit Singhal, Google’s vice president in charge of search, told USA TODAY.
“We’re hoping to provide a framework for a more informed conversation with your doctor,” Mr. Singhal said in the report.
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