AI in health care
Millions of Americans now turn to AI for health advice before seeing a doctor
Clinical Takeaway: Ask patients whether they used AI for health information before or after visits, and be prepared to clarify, contextualize, and correct AI-generated advice to support safe, informed care.
As patients increasingly consult AI for health questions, clinicians are encountering more AI-informed (and AI-influenced) decision-making at the point of care—raising both opportunities for engagement and risks if guidance is inaccurate or misunderstood.
A new nationally representative survey from the West Health–Gallup Center on Healthcare in America shows that artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of how patients seek medical information. One in four U.S. adults—more than 66 million people—report using AI tools or chatbots for physical or mental health advice, often alongside traditional care rather than as a replacement.
The survey, conducted among more than 5,500 adults from October through December 2025, found that speed and convenience are key drivers. Among recent AI users, 71% said they wanted quick answers and 71% wanted additional information; 67% cited curiosity about what AI would say. Many used AI to prepare for clinical encounters, with 59% researching before seeing a doctor and 56% after a visit.
Notably, nearly half of users (46%) said AI made them feel more confident talking with or asking questions of a provider. Others reported benefits such as identifying health issues earlier (22%) or avoiding what they believed were unnecessary tests or procedures (19%).
However, a smaller but significant group reported turning to AI instead of seeing a clinician. Cost and access barriers were common reasons: 27% said they didn’t want to pay for a visit, 14% couldn’t afford one, 21% lacked time for an appointment, and 16% could not access a provider. Emotional and relational factors also played a role, with 21% saying they felt dismissed by a provider in the past and 18% feeling embarrassed to talk to someone in person.
“Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how Americans seek health information, make decisions and engage with providers,” said Tim Lash, president of the West Health Policy Center. “The risk isn’t that AI is moving too fast—it’s that health systems may move too slowly to guide its use in health care responsibly.”