UserTesting recently conducted a study that discovered over half of Americans are relying on ChatGPT, a large language model, for medical insights and diagnoses. The survey of 2,000 American adults showcased a significant trend in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare-related tasks.

Key Findings

• 52% Engage with ChatGPT: More than half of the respondents (52%) reported providing a list of their symptoms to ChatGPT, seeking a diagnosis or understanding of their health concerns.
• High Accuracy Rates: Among those who consulted ChatGPT, an impressive 81% received a diagnosis from the AI model. Furthermore, when comparing these AI-generated diagnoses with those from healthcare professionals, an astonishing 84% deemed ChatGPT’s diagnoses accurate.
• Americans Lead in their Trust for AI: Unlike their counterparts in England and Australia, only 6% of Americans expressed distrust in AI for health-related tasks. This suggests a growing confidence in AI’s ability to meaningfully contribute to healthcare.

Reasons behind the trend

The study points to various reasons for the increasing reliance on AI in healthcare. With 26 million Americans lacking health insurance and challenges such as expensive co-pays and difficulty securing appointments, individuals are actively seeking alternative solutions. Healthcare deserts, prevalent in rural and inner-city areas, further highlight the need for accessible and convenient healthcare options.

Lija Hogan, head of research strategy at UserTesting, notes that as the country ages, integrating AI into the healthcare journey becomes essential for providing care at scale.

Future trust in AI

The survey delved into the tasks Americans would trust AI to perform, revealing that 53% would trust AI for recommending treatment plans, monitoring sleeping patterns, and scheduling doctor appointments. This growing acceptance indicates a willingness to incorporate AI into various aspects of healthcare.

Balancing AI and traditional healthcare

While AI proves valuable for certain tasks, the study emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach between AI and traditional healthcare. The ideal scenario involves a seamless integration of human healthcare professionals and healthcare-trained AIs, ensuring high-quality advice and connecting patients to appropriate providers.

As the trend toward AI-assisted healthcare continues, the survey highlights the ongoing importance of establishing effective guardrails to maintain the quality and context of medical advice provided by AI systems.

Thus, the UserTesting study paints a picture of a healthcare landscape which continuously incorporates AI, with Americans leading the way in embracing this technology for their medical needs.