Google Suggest and Healthcare

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Joshua Schwimmer, MD, FACP, FASN

When you type a search query into Google's web search, a feature called Google Suggest will offer searches that other users have typed that are similar to the one you're typing. Sometimes, this can provide an eye-opening view of how the Internet — or at least, the people who search Google — feel about a particular topic.

For example, here are the Google suggested searches for "Doctors are..."


In case you were wondering — no, thousands are people aren't all searching for "doctors are sadists who like to play god and watch lesser people scream" because they necessarily feel that way — it's a quote from the movie Juno.

Here are some other similar searches from Google Suggest.

Nurses are:

• nurses are great
• nurses are angels
• nurses are mean
• nurses are heroes

Medicine is:

• medicine is keystone of the arch of socialism
• medicine is working but u.s. economy isn't healthy yet
• medicine is an art
• medicine is not candy

Hospitals are:

• hosptials are generally categorized as nonprofit for-profit or governmental
• hospitals are cold
• hospitals are challenged by competition for paying patients
• hospitals are dangerous

I am sick:

• I am sick and tired of being sick and tired
• I am sick in spanish
• I am sick of being fat
• I am sick of obama
• I am sick and tired hillary clinton
• I am sick all the time
• I am sick and bored

Related articles by Zemanta

• Google Search Box Suggestions Allow Us to Peer into the Internet's Dark, Disturbing Id (gawker.com)
• The 20 funniest suggestions from Google Suggest (telegraph.co.uk)

Dr. Schwimmer practices Nephrology in New York City and also blogs at Info-Stream.

Labels: google, Google Suggest

Permalink and Comments | | Email Post

The Healthline Site, its content, such as text, graphics, images, search results, HealthMaps, Trust Marks, and other material contained on the Healthline Site ("Content"), its services, and any information or material posted on the Healthline Site by third parties are provided for informational purposes only. None of the foregoing is a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Healthline Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Please read the Terms of Service for more information regarding use of the Healthline Site.