ZocDoc launches new search capability and more digital health news

Zocdoc, a health tech company known for its appointment-booking and doctor-search tool, announced its new Guided Search capability.

The tool provides patients with more tailored search results based on their symptoms and what they are seeking treatment for, helping users find the right in-network provider. 

“We know that choosing the right provider is very important to patients, but far too often, that decision-making process can feel confusing and overwhelming,” Dr. Oliver Kharraz, Zocdoc founder and CEO, said in a statement. “We introduced Guided Search to give patients greater control, more confidence and ultimately peace of mind that they’re selecting a provider who is able to see and treat them for their specific needs.”

Behemoth lab test company Quest Diagnostics announced the launch of MelaNodal Predict, a predictive gene expression test aimed at helping personalize treatment decisions for patients with melanoma.  

The test examines a patient’s diagnostic tumor biopsy and uses an algorithm to assist providers in identifying patients with a low or high risk of melanoma spreading to the lymph nodes. Care providers can begin ordering the test nationwide as of Feb. 13. 

“Melanoma test services are an important component of our broad portfolio of advanced oncology tests,” Kristie Dolan, senior vice president and general manager of oncology at Quest Diagnostics, said in a statement. “By leveraging our scale, we can provide MelaNodal Predict to patients and treating physicians across the country to support clinical decision-making. The MelaNodal Predict test’s results will help physicians identify their patient’s risk of metastasis to assist in individualizing surgical decisions and patient management plans.” 

KeyCare, maker of a virtual care platform built with the Epic EHR, announced it partnered with Pennsylvania-based integrated healthcare system WellSpan Health to assist with the care system’s expansion into virtual primary care and behavioral health services. 

Patients of WellSpan can schedule online appointments with virtual care providers, including psychiatrists, primary care providers and therapists, through KeyCare’s virtual care platform, widening the health system’s ability to provide telehealth services. 

“Patient access to healthcare remains a top issue in our nation, and we are proud to collaborate so closely with our amazing partner WellSpan to extend care delivery via the KeyCare platform,” Dr. Lyle Berkowitz, CEO of KeyCare, said in a statement. 

“Patients increasingly want and need more virtual care options, and they are best served when their Virtualist providers can seamlessly share their health records with their primary health system. We are thrilled to expand our partnership with WellSpan in a way that maintains the health system’s relationships with its patients and ensures robust data interoperability with virtual providers.”