Krishwords

Googlelaunched Google Health yesterday, a way to store your health records in the computing cloud. I have no problems in putting my health records in the cloud. My insurance company has access to my health records already. If they can have it, I will have no problem with Google storing it on their clouds. Having made my beliefs with respect to storing my health care records on the computing cloud clear, I would like to add my initial observations of Google health. I may write a detailed review at a later stage but these are just some of my initial observations.

• The interface is simple, like other Google products. I like it better than any flashy designs. It is your health records and I am pretty sure many people won’t have anything flashy in it. Simple interface is always good. (Thumbs Up)
• It is not HIPAA compliant. However, Google explains why it is not necessary to be HIPAA compliant. Since Google Health is not a health care provider, they do not come under the terms of HIPAA. Google also offers a page explaining the similarities and differences between HIPAA and Google Health Policies. (Neutral)
• Google Health uses SSL encryption but I would like to see added security. First, unlike what Microsoft did when it launched Health Vault, Google health is not forcing the users to set up a strong password on their account. Second, Google Health is connected to Google accounts and hence to other Google services. Any “mishap” in one of the other services will compromise your health records. I would like to see an additional layer of protection with respect to Google Health. Well, Google suggests you to create an account just for the sake of Google Health but it is rather naive. They should add additional layer of protection for Google Health. Third, there should be an explicit warning to users every time they log into Google Health about possible security issues when accessing Google Health from public computers. Users are not all that educated about the trace of their online activities left on the computers they use. A warning should be shown before they could log into their account every time even if it is inconvenient for users. (Thumbs Down)
• Google Health is, atleast right now, US based. For a person like me who was born in another country, I need more options to make my health records complete. (Neutral)
• More importantly, there is no option to export my data from Google Health. It is a downer. I should be able to take my health records to any service I want. (Thumbs Down)

These are my initial observations on Google Health. I haven’t explored it deeply as yet. I understand that the service is still in beta and I hope they add more features in the future. Online health records are important. The complete control of the records should be given to the users. The security and privacy of the records should be given the utmost attention. Google has taken the necessary first step, along with Microsoft and many other startups. We have to wait and see how it is going to benefit the customer. I wouldn’t come to a conclusion about the merits of this service at such an early stage.