Startup medical service Augmedix Inc. which uses the Google Glass to provide documentation for doctors and patients was able to raise a $17 million funding to expand their service to other clinics and health systems. This budget is aimed at "rehumanizing" the interaction of doctors to their patients.
Reuters reported that the technology used by Augmedix allow it to transcribe notes and update the records of patients through the Google Glass. An estimated 400 employees of the startup provide services for doctors located in all 50 states in the country.
According to TechCrunch, the funding is important for the healthcare providers in the Unites States especially Dignity Health, Sutter Health, Catholic Health Initiatives and TriHealth Inc. Augmedix links all these providers which handles thousands of doctors with the information they supply through the wearable device.
Despite this new technology, the same report said this will not be a big help to doctors and patients since it can "alienate" them when they try to interact with one another. Another criticism for this is that it can serve as a distraction for the users.
To defend the technology, Aumedix CEO Ian Shakil said that these concerns are not really problems for the company saying that the new technology helped them grow. He claimed that what bothers him is the needed data that needs to be inputted into the system.
"When you are with doctors without Glass, they are charting and clicking on computers for a lot of the time, and not focusing on their patients," Shakil explained. "When you put on Google Glass to collect and reference that information, it helps you engage with the patient better."
The company CEO explained that their system will make sure that the documentation is fast and reliable. Through this, Shakil said they will be able to attract more investors for the company to better improve their services.
