Wolters Kluwer Health has released new patient‑focused findings from its 2026 Future Ready Healthcare survey. The analysis, titled AI and the Patient Experience, shows that American patients’ views on healthcare AI vary significantly by age, gender, and geography, with trust remaining a major barrier to adoption.
The survey indicates that patients primarily use AI for general medical research. More than half reported using AI to investigate medication side effects or drug interactions, and a similar proportion used it to learn more about diagnoses or conditions. A smaller group said they relied on AI to simplify medical language or interpret test results. Some patients noted that AI research influenced their decision to seek medical care sooner, though many—particularly women and older adults—preferred not to reference AI information during clinical appointments.
Concerns about privacy and data security remain prominent. Three out of four patients expressed worry about the protection of personal health information, with women and rural patients reporting higher levels of concern than men and urban patients. Many respondents also expressed unease about the potential sale or leakage of health data.
Patients emphasized the importance of human validation in medical AI. Nearly nine out of ten said AI‑generated health responses should be reviewed by a human expert, and most expected that AI tools used in clinical decision‑making would be formally approved by health systems. Liability was also a major issue, with three‑quarters of patients concerned about responsibility if AI recommendations proved inaccurate or harmful.
Confidence in AI varied across demographics. Men and urban patients reported higher levels of trust in AI‑generated answers than women and rural patients. Comfort with autonomous AI functions, such as appointment scheduling, was relatively high, but confidence dropped sharply when AI was used for diagnosis or treatment recommendations.
The survey findings suggest that while patients are increasingly engaging with AI for informational purposes, significant trust gaps remain. Addressing concerns about privacy, accuracy, and accountability may be critical for broader adoption of healthcare AI.
The Future Ready Healthcare Survey Report was conducted by Ipsos in March 2026 and included responses from 355 healthcare professionals and 254 patients across the United States.
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