Google Glass is now available in the U.K.

United States physicians have had the advantages of Google Glass for the past year.  Glass just recently was released for use in the U.K.

Kathi Browne of BrowneKnows, a well known social media moderator on Health Care Talk had the opportunity to discuss the promise of Google Glass for users and developers in the U.K.  In this Google Hangout several medical developers discuss their use and plans for Google Glass.

Now that Google Glass has been made available to the UK, we are seeing many new Glass explorers stepping forward in  +Giannis Anastasiadis  is interested in developing healthcare Glassware. If you have an idea you wish someone would develop for Glass, share it. For those of you who wish to become Glass Explorers,

While Google Glass is not yet  HIPAA compliant there are  developer plans to make it so. Currently Glass users must receive permission from patients if it is used for them. The potential for use of Glass in Healthcare is enormous, more than I want to cover in this post, and will be listed elsewhere (as of September 30, 2014. 

The current iteration of  google glass has some limitations for medical use. It currently has not been cleared as a 'biomedical device', requiring specific adminstrative consent for use in a health facility, for reasons of legal liability. It is a small and powerful computer, generating much heat and was designed for very short bursts of information rather that a continuous use video recorder.

If you are a physician,  surgeon or a google glass developer, we would like to hear from you, for either a post or a Google Hangout Conference.

HIPAA COMPLIANT GOOGLE + HANGOUTS

Google announces Helpouts: the Hangout that’s so good you’ll pay for it

This service marries the video chat features of Hangouts with the payment processing of Google Wallet, the identity management of Google+, and a slew of other Google service features. The end result is a gorgeous Frankenstein monster that lets you find expert help instantly via video.

Google + Helpouts is its own separate division within Google, but it uses all existing Google technologies.  And actually the service is free unless you charge for it.  Google's take is 20%.  The helpouts are scheduled or on demand.   

Many providers have been asking if Google + hangouts are HIPAA compliant. Up until now the answer has been 'no'.   Now for a charge it can be.  Further details are forthcoming from Google.

The challenges for telemedicine have been several. 1. Cost. 2. Non-reimbursement due to insurance limitations 3. Lack of an easily accessible platform.

Previous offerings have included expensive contracting with a telehealth provider. 

Providers and patients are now aware of new resources to provide an additional component to home health and alternative to time consuming  office visits.

Google also announced an API for Google Helpouts. For more information, Google hosts a 'help' tutorial.

Several medical offices and clinics may be available in your area.  Note that this service is so new that you should verify their participation.  It is not necessary to have a visit initially, however in many states,  for you to receive treatment advice law prohibits telemedicine treatment other than in an advisory capacity.

One Medical Group (Beverly Hills)

Meet the Doctors

• Michelle Grotz-Rhone, MD
• Bruce Olmscheid, MD
• Aarti Kulkarni, MD

There are other participating One Medical Groups in  San Francisco, New York,  Boston and Washington, D.C.