Google: A Thinking Force In Healthcare
Healthcare is a data-driven industry and Google is preparing to play a larger role in its success
John G. Baresky
Google’s analytic, deep thinking attributes are tackling the clinical, financial and technical challenges of healthcare
According to popular media and assorted speculators, Amazon is the most formidable giant about to disrupt the healthcare industry. Amazon has established more than a toehold in healthcare easily confirmed by searching its ranks of over-the-counter medicines, medical supplies (bandages, disinfectants, gauze, gowns, linens, masks, gloves), medical devices (blood pressure cuffs, hand-held instruments, IV sets/disposables, otoscopes, stethoscopes) and basic office fixtures/supplies (stools, cabinets, paper goods, computer products) — even hospital beds.
Amazon’s rumored plans to scale up in the prescription drug and/or medical device categories are sending waves of positive and negative anticipation across the industry but it’s pivotally important to know Google’s growing presence in healthcare is just as formidable and is well underway.
Google’s parent company is vacuuming up top talent in health care and biotech according to CNBC
Many healthcare industry stakeholders are now realizing the enormous clinical, financial and technical attributes Google ( NASDAQ: GOOGL ) possesses and has been assertively applying for widespread impact across an array of healthcare sectors. The superpowers of Google have ample presence and growth potential in healthcare. Their actions and progress don’t often make front-page news as they are far more advanced than everyday consumer interests.
Google is managing deeply complex volumes of big data for decision-makers in clinicians (nurses, doctors, pharmacists), healthcare administration, medical research, risk management, payer and other sectors. The choices these stakeholders make based on Google’s involvement as an analytic / data management resource have an enormous impact.
Business Insider says, “The venture capital arm of Google’s parent company is betting its billions on life-enhancing healthcare startups”
In addition to data, Google is involved with healthcare device development, IoT, telehealth and other initiatives. Their internal and external healthcare ventures and partnerships demonstrate Google’s near and long-term commitment to being a healthcare technology leader and a true disrupter. From the looks of things, Google is just getting started.
A sample of Google’s healthcare positions
Heavily focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning applications to support clinicians across a variety of diseases, health conditions and patient types; it collaborates with various healthcare entities including the University of Chicago Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Stanford University
A business unit of Alphabet (Google’s overarching corporate entity) dedicated to healthcare and prevention, detection and management of diseases
Calico (California Life Company)
Concentrates on challenges of aging and helping people lead longer, healthier lives while generating greater insights on biological factors and aging.
App development focused on healthcare aligning with consumer/patient care to monitor vital signs, exercise levels via Google Wear wearables, tablets and android devices
Google Cloud (four units with healthcare ties):
1) Apigee
Provides API management, predictive analytics software (acquired by Google for $625 million in 2016)
2) G Suite
For HIPAA compliant workloads
For HIPAA compliant workloads
Manages global genomic data for healthcare/life sciences organizations
…Large tech companies committed as much as $30 billion into artificial intelligence in 2016 — plus another $9 billion going into artificial intelligence start-ups according to the McKinsey Global Institute…
Google’s healthcare positions continue on…
The original search engine which put Google on the map, changing the face of basic web search with its amazing accuracy — upon which 1 of every 20 searches is related to healthcare
Physician interaction/communication using GoogleGlass
Wearable health technologies
Biophysical marker technologies
A diabetes management company supported by Verily with a collaboration underway with Blue Cross Blue Shield
Based on Digital Journal’s insights, Google’s strong intentions towards healthcare artificial intelligence has been through its new accelerator program
There are plenty of other healthcare initiatives Google / Alphabet has underway. Internet of Things (IoT), telemedicine, mobile, medtech, clinical data analysis and other digital / IT-based healthcare interests are ideally suited for Google resources and vice versa.
The variety of Google’s deployment in healthcare demonstrates their willingness to invest in learning more about it with a goal of greatly improving healthcare’s existing resources or developing entirely new and better options
For organizations looking for better resources, partnerships, products and services Google’s healthcare initiatives are positive news — and unsettling to competitors that have not been innovative. While it is easy to be swept away by Amazon’s healthcare media tide, companies like Google and its associated Alphabet, Verily and other corporate entities are forging ahead on groundbreaking strategic healthcare quests.
Moving forward through organic development, acquisitions and partnerships, Google / Alphabet will expand its position in the healthcare sector and develop new streams of profitable revenue.
Thank you for reading this story
Learn more about the healthcare industry; read my articles about its medical and business trends, content marketing and digital strategy, brand and product management, mergers and acquisitions, consumer wellness, managed care and market access strategy.
About me
Hi, my name is John Baresky ( pronounced “ buh — ress — key “) and I have over 25 years of experience in healthcare.
Throughout my career, I have been writing about healthcare while developing and sharing important information with physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other clinicians plus consumers, patients, healthcare business professionals, investors and other stakeholders.
Healthcare is a vast industry. I organize its clinical, business, academic, technical and consumer topics into precise messages and stories that are easily understood and immediately useful. The content I write resonates across audiences with objective accuracy and clarity.
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