In a new pilot program, Google users who search for certain symptoms will see an option to have a video chat with a physician to discuss their concerns.
"When you're searching for basic health information — from conditions like insomnia or food poisoning — our goal is provide you with the most helpful information available," according to a company statement. "We're trying this new feature to see if it's useful to people."
The feature is tied into Google's Helpouts service, which launched last year. Google is partnering with providers for the new service, including San Diego-based Scripps Health and One Medical Group in San Francisco, according to a report in The Washington Post.
Google is picking up the tab for the video chats during the pilot phase, though it is likely users will have to pay for the service in the future.
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