Google search wants to help people book doctors’ appointments

The company hopes to shorten wait times for getting medical attention, but users still will need to make appointments with medical professionals separate from the search platform, a Google representative said in a briefing. — Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash

Google wants its search engine to be a gateway to help users book appointments with doctors – the latest step in the company’s winding effort to play a larger role in health care.

“Whether you put off your annual checkup, recently moved and need a new doctor, or are looking for a same-day visit to a MinuteClinic at CVS, you might see available appointment dates and times for doctors in your area,” Karen DeSalvo, Google’s chief health officer, wrote Thursday in a blog post.