Google to track medical records

By most accounts, the Australian Medicare system runs rings around US Medicare. But Australians, like our friends across the pond don't really have a good, web-based way of keeping medical records in check. Medicare Australia's latest website allows you to download your Medicare claims history after receiving a postal letter with a password and typing in five secret questions -- but that's about it.

Meanwhile, most modern medical centres now have computer systems that keep track of patient history - but getting this information and taking it with you when you visit another doctor is something that's inconvenient at best, usually requiring letters of request and a lot of manual work.

While lots of big American enterprises lobby the US government to improve public health care access, Google has taken the first step in making a secure and comprehensive web-based system that lets you keep track of and manage your medical history.

According to Google, Google Health 'allows you to store and manage all of your health information in one central place.' Like most other Google products, Google Health is free, and can be accessed by anybody with a Google ID. Google maintain that any information you contribute will remain safe and secure, and can be deleted at any time. Just don't leave your Google account logged in at a net cafe or work PC, unless you want your fellow backpackers and/or coworkers to find out about your most recent troubles with toe fungus.

Because it makes sense for families to keep medical records together, Google Health lets you add multiple profiles within your one login. In my example, this means I can keep track of my wife and two kids within my user login.

While Google Health lets you keep track of your own medical information it also has smarts built-in that let you import medical records from other medical centres and pharmacies. Like lots of other Google products, Health wears the 'Beta' tag proudly, and after my brief trial that seems appropriate. For starters Google needs to offer an 'export' option - If I'm going to invest the time in building an online health profile I want to know I can take it with me if I choose.

Google has also made APIs available to developers. One can envision a future where, after a doctor's appointment or medical test, a 'report' gets emailed to your Google Health account, where it is imported and automatically saved for you.

Google Health is primarily a US release - evidenced by the fact that data is stored as pounds and inches, and can't be converted to the metric scale. There's also no sign of local Australian health suppliers. However, you'll still be able to log on and enter data. But like other Google Beta products I expect Google Health development to be rapid and frequent, and in the future may become the 'Facebook' of your medical records.