Americans turn to AI to supplement medical visits

Editor’s note: This study was conducted in partnership with West Health. West Health-Gallup American Medical Centera collaborative initiative to report the voices and experiences of Americans within the health care system.

WASHINGTON, DC — As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into daily life, West Health Gallup America’s Medical Center reports that 25% of Americans use AI tools or chatbots for health information and advice, primarily as an adjunct to care. More than half of recent users say they have used AI because they prefer to do their own research before and after a doctor’s visit.

These results are from a nationally representative survey of more than 5,500 U.S. adults conducted from October 27 to December 27. 22, 2025, using the Gallup Panel.

More Americans use AI to supplement medical visits than replace them.

About 70% of U.S. adults say they have used an AI tool or chatbot for some purpose, and one in four (25%) say they have used it to gather medical information or advice. This is consistent with what other studies have found on the use of AI for health-related purposes.

Those who reported using AI for health information or advice in the past 30 days often used AI to supplement their traditional healthcare experience, with 59% saying they used AI tools to do their own research before a doctor’s visit, and 56% said they used AI to research after a doctor’s visit.

A small but meaningful percentage of Americans use AI when faced with cost, access, and quality barriers. For example, 14% of people who recently used AI-generated health information said they did so because they couldn’t pay for a doctor’s visit, 16% because they didn’t have access to a provider, and 21% because they felt ignored by a provider in the past.

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Regardless of the reason, nearly half (46%) of Americans who have used AI for health information say an AI tool or chatbot has made them feel more confident when talking to their provider or asking questions. Others claim they were able to identify a problem earlier (22%) or avoid unnecessary medical tests or procedures (19%).

The AI ​​tools most frequently reported to be used for these purposes are popular conversational AI systems such as ChatGPT and Copilot (61%), followed by AI tools embedded in web search such as Google AI Summary (55%).

Voluntary research drives AI use for health information, but motivations vary

Modern users of AI-generated health information report that they are turning to AI as part of their healthcare, primarily for speed and information, but reasons for using AI vary by age and income.

Younger adults are more likely than older adults to report using AI for independent research. For example, 69% of 18-29 year olds say they use AI to do their own research before seeing a doctor, compared to 43% of people 65 and older. Although independent research is more common among young adults, it is also prevalent among older adults, with more than four in 10 people over 65 using AI for this purpose.

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Income is most strongly associated with AI use when cost, access, and quality barriers are involved. For example, 32% of adults in households with annual incomes of less than $24,000 said they had used AI because they could not afford a doctor’s visit, compared to 2% of adults with incomes of $180,000 or more.

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Top types of health information Americans ask AI

When asked about the specific types of health information or advice they seek from AI, Americans say they most often use AI to answer everyday health questions. Of those who reported using AI for health information or advice in the past 30 days, more than half (59%) said they had used an AI tool or chatbot for a question about nutrition or exercise, and a similar proportion (58%) said they had used it for a physical symptom.

In addition to gathering information about nutrition and health symptoms, AI also helped users understand clinical information and prepare for appointments with health care providers. For example, 46% have used AI to understand drug side effects, 44% have used AI to interpret medical information, and 38% have used AI to diagnose or investigate medical conditions.

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Some Americans are using AI to replace seeing a health care provider

Most Americans who reported using AI-generated health information and advice said they were using AI to gather information to supplement traditional care, but some also reported refraining from seeking medical care because of AI-generated advice.

14% of recent users said they skipped a visit to a provider in the past 30 days because of the AI ​​information or advice they received. Projecting this to the entire adult population, this equates to an estimated 14 million U.S. adults who missed a medical visit due to AI-generated health information or advice.

Some Americans report not seeing a health care provider after receiving AI-generated health information, but trust in that information remains mixed. Among those who reported using AI for health information or advice in the past 30 days, approximately one-third said they trusted AI (33%), one-third said they neither trusted nor distrusted it (33%), and one-third said they distrusted it (34%). But only 4% say so strongly They trust the accuracy of AI-generated health information, suggesting that many Americans are making health care decisions based on it without having full confidence in its accuracy.

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Safety concerns have also been raised among some users. Of those who reported using AI for health information or advice in the past 30 days, nearly one in 10 (11%) said AI recommended medical information or advice they considered unsafe.

what it means

AI is part of how some patients navigate their healthcare experience, serving as routine steps before and after interactions with healthcare providers. As more Americans use AI to proactively research symptoms, diagnoses, and medications, medical visits can become more focused and informed, potentially improving the care experience. Using AI after a medical visit to better understand treatment plans, risks, and when to follow up with healthcare providers could also shape how patient care is managed. In systems facing time constraints and workforce pressures, AI tools that help patients clarify questions and review medical information can play a productive role in shaping the care experience. For some Americans, AI is already doing that job.

However, a small but notable percentage of Americans say they did not meet the health care provider they would have otherwise met after receiving AI-generated health information or advice. Whether and under what circumstances AI tools can adequately replace certain medical procedures remains a key question as the use of these tools continues to increase.

As AI becomes more integrated into how patients find and use health information, understanding when it complements care and when it acts as a replacement will require continued attention.

The bigger picture is one of a healthcare landscape in transition, where AI is shaping how many Americans prepare for, approach, and reflect on their healthcare experiences. As Americans rely on AI-generated health information and advice, including in situations where questions about accuracy or appropriate use may arise, health systems must adapt to how these tools are incorporated into healthcare efforts.

For more data and insights, visit: westhealth.gallup.com.

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