Here’s how Google wants to make it easier to treat what ails you

Dan Kedmey

February 10, 2015, 1:00 PM ET

<h1>Physician assistants</h1> Duke University's Eugene Stead launched the first physician assistant's program in 1965 to address two problems. On the one hand, there was a shortage of primary care physicians across the country. On the other, men were leaving the military with medical training and no clear way to apply it to civilian life. In 1975, an independent organization called the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants was founded to oversee certification for the profession. In the '60s and '70s, most PA's were men, but the ratio has shifted. In 1983, the Bureau of Labor Statistics data says that about 35% of physician assistants in the country were women. Today, roughly 70% of PA's are women. Part of that might have to do with the fact that it is more lucrative, on average, for women to become PA's than doctors. A 2012 Yale study suggested that female PA's might end up earning more than women doctors, given the cost of education and the wage gap between male and female physicians. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

This post is in partnership with Time. The article below was originally published at Time.com.

Google (GOOG) searches of common ailments will soon include illustrated guides to treatment, the search giant said Tuesday.

The new feature, which will roll out over the course of this week, will encompass 400 of the most commonly searched medical conditions, from tonsillitis to pink eye. Along with illustrations of the symptoms, the results will include bulleted lists of how frequently the condition occurs and what treatments are available to patients.

“We’re hoping to provide a framework for a more informed conversation with your doctor,” Amit Singhal, Google’s vice president in charge of search, told USA Today.

WebMD “WBMD”] shares dropped by more than 5% in morning trading, shortly after Google’s announcement.

About the Author

By Dan Kedmey

See full bio

Latest in Tech