Google's announcement that it's developed a healthcare advisory panel has created quite a stir. In recent weeks, the search giant has been pitching its secure Web information security technology [1], arguing along the way that secure authentication is key to building Web-based EMRs. The announcement has further fueled speculation Google will develop its own Web-based EMR.
The stellar 21-member panel, which will advise Google on consumer and provider issues and offer product ideas, includes the CEO of Cleveland Clinic, Linda Dillman, a Wal-Mart EVP with benefits responsibility, former FDA commissioner David Kessler, Harvard Medical School CIO John Halamka and American College of Physicians CEO John Tooker.
Panel members are paid a pittance, $1,500 per quarterly meeting, and it doesn't seem they're getting any privileged access to stock or other corporate benefits. So I guess they share many other observers' view that whatever Google develops, it will be important to the industry--and you can't beat a front-row seat on that kind of thing.
To learn more about the group:
- read this Google blog entry [1]
- read this iHealthBeat article [2]
Links:
[1] http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-advisory-group-on-health.html
[2] http://www.ihealthbeat.org/Articles/2007/6/29/Google-Launch-of-Health-Advisory-Panel-Sparks-Speculation.aspx