According to a Gallup survey of more than 5,500 U.S. adults published in April, 25% of Americans have already used AI to obtain health information or advice.
Among those who had used AI during the previous 30 days:
- 71% said they used it to get quick answers;
- 71% to obtain additional information;
- 67% said they consulted AI out of curiosity;
- 59% used it before seeing a doctor, while 56% used it after a medical appointment.
The cost of visiting a doctor motivates 41% of AI-related health searches, either because respondents could not afford the visit (14%) or because they wanted to avoid paying for one (27%).
Limited access to a physician outside normal office hours accounts for 42% of consultations with AI tools.
Among Americans who have used AI for health information, 46% say that the AI tool or chatbot made them more confident when speaking with or asking questions of a healthcare provider. Others report that it helped them identify health issues earlier (22%) or avoid unnecessary medical tests or procedures (19%).
Age is a significant factor: 69% of users aged 18–29 say they use AI to conduct their own research before consulting a doctor, compared with 43% of those aged 65 and older.
AI use also varies by income level. Among households earning less than $24,000 per year, 32% report using AI because they could not afford a doctor’s visit, compared with just 2% of those earning $180,000 or more.
Physicians are using AI as well
According to a survey by the American Medical Association (AMA), 66% of physicians reported using AI in 2024, representing a 78% increase in adoption over a single year.
Among U.S. physicians who report using AI:
- 21% use it for billing, medical records, or visit notes;
- 14% for generating discharge instructions, care plans, and/or progress notes;
- 14% for translation;
- 13% for obtaining summaries of medical research and standards of care;
- 12% to assist with diagnosis;
- 12% to generate chart summaries;
- 10% as a patient-facing chatbot;
- 10% for patient health recommendations and to encourage self-care and health management.
Sources :
– Americans Are Turning to AI for Their Health | Gallup
– 2 in 3 Physicians Are Using Health AI
