NEW YORK,
March 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/
-- WebMD (NASDAQ: WBMD), the leading source of health
information, just made it easier for consumers to get answers to
their health-related questions. Beginning today, users of
Amazon Alexa devices can ask questions about health-related topics,
including conditions, drugs, medical tests, side effects, symptoms
and treatments. In response, WebMD will provide
physician-reviewed, medically appropriate answers in plain,
accessible language.
"WebMD is committed to providing consumers with health information
that they can trust whenever and wherever they need it, and voice
represents a promising new communication channel," said WebMD Chief
Executive Officer Steve Zatz.
"We're happy to be working with Amazon to increase access to
trusted health care information."
Users of Alexa-enabled devices, such as Amazon Echo, Echo
Dot, Amazon Fire TV and others, can access WebMD's library of
health information once they have enabled the skill, which is as
easy as saying, "Alexa, enable WebMD skill." Once enabled,
users can ask questions in a variety of different
ways to get an easy-to-understand answer.
For example, questions may include:
"Alexa, ask WebMD to tell
me about type 2 diabetes."
"Alexa, ask WebMD
to tell me about amoxicillin."
"Alexa, ask
WebMD what is an echocardiogram."
"Alexa,
ask WebMD what are the side effects of steroids."
"Alexa, ask WebMD what are the symptoms of a heart
attack."
"Alexa, ask WebMD
how to treat a sore
throat."
"Alexa, ask WebMD what I can eat
after a workout."
To learn how WebMD's new skill works on Alexa,
visit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRM361G/.
"Every month, nearly one-third of the total
online U.S. population turns to WebMD's websites and apps in search
of answers to their health-related questions, but now they have
another option – and it's as simple as asking Alexa,"
said WebMD Vice President Ben
Greenberg, whose product team developed the new voice
capabilities. "There are a number of reasons that
voice-enabled interfaces are growing in popularity – they are
generally hands-free, people can talk faster than they type, and
when done right, they make it easier for consumers to quickly and
easily get to the information they need."
In addition to providing answers via voice, WebMD gives
users the opportunity to request that additional information be
sent in text form to their Alexa app. If they opt to do so, a card
containing the original answer to their question and a URL where
they can find more information on WebMD.com will appear in
their Alexa app.
"We're excited that WebMD is bringing its skill to Alexa,"
said Rob Pulciani, Director, Amazon
Alexa. "With the WebMD skill, customers can get answers to health
questions simply by asking Alexa. It highlights the convenience of
a more natural spoken language experience."
This new WebMD service will keep Alexa users informed
about their health, giving them a trusted, easy-to-use source for
medical information in the comfort of their homes.
About WebMD
WebMD Health Corp.
(NASDAQ: WBMD) is the leading provider of health information
services, serving consumers, physicians, healthcare professionals,
employers, and health plans through our public and private online
portals, mobile platforms and health-focused publications.
The WebMD Health Network includes WebMD Health, Medscape,
MedicineNet, eMedicineHealth, RxList, Medscape Education and other
owned WebMD sites.
WebMD®, Medscape®, CME Circle®, Medpulse®, eMedicine®,
MedicineNet®, theheart.org® and RxList® are among the trademarks of
WebMD Health Corp. or its subsidiaries.
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SOURCE WebMD Health Corp.