When you want to look up a doctor or a clinic, you would call and set up appointments. However, Google seems to think that’s too much work, as it has a new feature. The company announced today that, when you look up a doctor, it will show you the available appointment slots in the search results.
Google gives you a metric ton of information nowadays compared to the olden days. When you search up certain items, you get snippets of information pulled from multiple sources along with images and videos. Searching up animals will give you an animated 3D model. Searching up businesses gives you all sorts of information from location to the website and phone number.
Google will show you available doctor appointments slots
Now, Google is going to provide even more information when it comes to searching up doctors. Now, when you do so, you’ll be shown a list of available appointment slots. After searching up a medical institution, you’ll be able to see a quick list of appointments without having to call in.
How does this work?
We know Google for its heavy use of AI trickery, but rest assured; Google isn’t looking into the doctors’ schedules or spying on their phone calls. The company partnered with (and is still making partnerships with) different medical institutions to sync up their appointment schedules and present that data when searched up. So far, Google was able to partner with MinuteClinic at CVS to show available appointment times when searched.
Google plans to go the full nine yards with this feature. Looking at the screenshot the company shared, you won’t only be shown available times, you’ll also be shown what kind of procedures are available. For instance, the first item shows “Physical and Non-Covid Screenings” available the next day.
Another neat thing about this feature is the ability to actually start the booking process straight from Google. Next to the appointment, you have the “Book” button. At this point, we’re not sure if you will actually book the appointment from Google. It could probably link to the official website.
Right now, this is still in the early stages, so don’t expect this to be available for your local dentist or clinic just yet. As Google partners with more institutions, we should see more places get this feature.