Microsoft and Google are looking at ways to improve the accuracy of online diagnosis and reduce “cyberchondria”. In June, Google partnered with Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic to launch a symptom search feature, while Microsoft has been using search to test predictive algorithms. Russ Altman, managing director at Microsoft Research, believes predictive modelling may help screen for some diseases, including pancreatic and breast cancer, early enough to improve outcomes, and to identify women at risk of postpartum depression.
Microsoft and Google are looking at ways to improve the accuracy of online diagnosis and reduce “cyberchondria”. In June, Google partnered with Harvard Medical School and Mayo Clinic to launch a symptom search feature, while Microsoft has been using search to test predictive algorithms. Eric Horvitz, managing director at Microsoft Research, believes predictive modelling may help screen for some diseases, including pancreatic and breast cancer, early enough to improve outcomes, and to identify women at risk of postpartum depression.