Patients Increasingly Turn to AI for Healthcare Advice, Often in Secret

U.S. healthcare patients are waiting an average of 31 days to see a doctor, driving nearly two-thirds to seek medical advice from artificial intelligence instead, according to a new survey released by digital appointment-booking service Zocdoc.

The comprehensive study, conducted in February by research firm Censuswide, gathered insights from 1,186 patients and 1,000 healthcare providers across the United States. The findings reveal a growing reliance on AI for medical guidance, with 65% of surveyed consumers turning to the technology specifically because it offers faster and more accessible answers than traditional healthcare channels.

Despite widespread adoption of AI tools among patients, the survey uncovered a concerning trend: one in five respondents admitted to concealing their use of AI from their healthcare providers. Most cited fear of judgment as the primary reason for their secrecy.

The concealment is particularly pronounced among younger patients. Generation Z (ages 14 to 29) demonstrated the highest rates of AI secrecy, with 77% reporting they have hidden or would hide their AI usage from doctors—making them twice as likely as other generations to withhold this information.

This lack of transparency comes despite the fact that most healthcare providers view AI as beneficial to patient care. The survey found that 77% of clinicians appreciate AI’s contributions to healthcare, with the same percentage reporting that AI-using patients ask more thoughtful questions. Additionally, 76% of providers noted better patient engagement in their own care when AI tools were involved in the process.

However, the technology is not without drawbacks. An overwhelming 83% of providers reported having to correct AI-generated misinformation during patient visits, with 63% saying these corrections add time to appointments—a significant concern in an already time-constrained healthcare system.

Patients themselves expressed ambivalence about AI’s reliability. While 52% believe AI can be helpful for most medical issues, many recognize potential risks: 33% worry AI can be overly reassuring, 62% think it can create a false sense of security, and 41% are concerned it might make them feel overly confident about their medical understanding.

“More patients are turning to AI for answers and guidance. But many aren’t telling their doctors,” said Zocdoc founder and CEO Oliver Kharraz, MD. “Handled openly, AI can help patients feel more prepared and make visits more productive. Handled secretly, it can create friction, confusion, and erode trust.”

The most common use of AI among patients is to better understand information received from their doctors—suggesting the technology serves an important role in translating complex medical terminology into more accessible language.

The findings come at a pivotal moment for healthcare technology, as AI applications rapidly expand across the medical landscape. For Zocdoc, which offers free booking services to patients while charging providers for patient acquisition, understanding these trends is crucial to their business model.

The company has recently increased its own use of AI technology, positioning itself at the intersection of traditional healthcare and technological innovation. This market research helps illuminate how patients and providers are navigating this evolving relationship.

The disconnect between patients’ increasing reliance on AI and their reluctance to disclose this usage to healthcare providers highlights an emerging challenge in doctor-patient communication. As AI becomes more integrated into healthcare decision-making, establishing transparent communication about these tools will likely become increasingly important for effective care.

The full report, released March 24, provides additional insights into how artificial intelligence is reshaping patient behavior and healthcare delivery in the United States.