Google testing new service connecting people with medical conditions

Google is testing a new service connecting people with medical conditions to doctors over video chat, ANI reported. The first revelation of the feature came from a Reddit user who posted a screenshot of the service online, the authenticity of which was later confirmed by Google representatives.

According to Google, the company's goal was to provide most helpful information available to people searching for basic health information, The Verge reported.

The service tied to Helpouts, Google's marketplace where experts could charge to give lessons and advice over video chat.

It was not clear what the future of the programme would be, but the wording presented in the screenshot posted to Reddit suggested that it would cost money if it progressed past the testing phase.

According to Business Insider, the idea behind the search tool was pretty simple. When one searched for a symptom, such as knee pain for example, Google would issue a notification asking whether or not one would like to chat with a doctor.

All virtual visit costs would be covered by Google during the trial period, though it was not clear how much it would cost, when (and if) the feature was eventually rolled out.

In most instances, video chatting with a doctor would not replace an actual visit to the doctor, but it could prevent people from reading information that might not be related to their condition.