Advances in AI are changing the way we view health and deal with health-related issues. Three in five Brits are now using AI to self-diagnose their health, according to a new national survey by Confused.com Life Insurance. Across various searches such as side effects of a medical condition, treatment options, and checking symptoms, 11% of respondents claim that AI helped improve their medical condition. More than a third (35%) are likely to use AI in this context in the future, moving away from traditional GP appointments and becoming increasingly difficult to recruit at short notice.
The average waiting time for a GP appointment in the UK is currently 10 days, which is far too long for many people. Therefore, since January 2025, health-related searches such as “What is my illness?” and “What are my symptoms?” have increased significantly, by 85%. (33%), “side effects” (22%).
Most common health-related queries using AI
According to Confused.com, the most searched health-related query is checking symptoms, with 63% seeking advice from AI. Side effects come next at 50%, followed by lifestyle and health techniques at 38%. Additionally, 20% treat ChatGPT as a virtual therapist and seek mental health support through therapy and recommended coping strategies.
35% of respondents aged 65 and older use AI for self-diagnosis, and 54% use the technology to check for symptoms. Although this pales in comparison to 18-24 year olds, 85% use AI to regularly search for health issues.
Tom Vaughn, life insurance expert at Confused.com, commented on these latest findings: “Advances in AI technology are creating new ways for people to approach healthcare and self-diagnosis. More people are taking steps to support their own and their families’ well-being, staying ahead of health concerns and addressing situations as quickly as possible.”
Potential benefits of AI self-diagnosis
With current GP wait times sometimes up to a month, it’s no surprise that 42% claim AI is faster than waiting to see a doctor. 50% of 25-34 year olds and 51% of 35-44 year olds said they were reluctant to take risks due to timing considerations and believed self-diagnosis would be faster than waiting to see a GP.
Family well-being is also important, with 20% using AI to determine how best to support the health of their loved ones. Not having to physically talk to a doctor is another reason why many people are turning to AI. 24% said they would feel more comfortable using AI than discussing their health face-to-face with a medical professional, rising to 39% among 18-24 year olds.
17% are looking for alternative medical solutions and AI support, rising to 27% for 25-34 year olds. Money is another important factor, with 20% feeling that self-diagnosis with AI could significantly save them on private healthcare costs.
AI is also having a positive impact on non-binary individuals and people with alternative identities. 75% said diagnostic technology was “very” helpful, compared to just 13% of men and 9% of women.
Overall, AI appears to have a positive impact on users’ health outcomes. For example, 11% said AI helped their health “a lot” and 41% claimed it helped “somewhat”. Although this self-diagnosis does not guarantee accuracy, it is hoped that it will encourage people to visit their GP for a formal diagnosis.
Only a minority of respondents (9%) felt that AI had no benefit to their health, indicating that traditional medical methods are more reliable.
Tom Vaughan emphasized the importance of seeing a general practitioner. “Although AI can be helpful in early research and understanding symptoms, it is clear that for ultimate reassurance you should consult your GP or pharmacist. GPs and other health professionals are the only people who can accurately diagnose symptoms, some of which can worsen or become long-term illnesses if not properly treated.”
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health
Confused.com’s insights into the use of AI for health concerns coincide with the launch of OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Health feature, which is part of the ChatGPT platform. This was set up in response to the significant number of health-related queries made on the site each day. Statistics show that over 230 million health-related inquiries are made every week.
ChatGPT Health allows users to connect their personal medical records with wellness apps like Apple Health, allowing AI to provide customized responses rather than general knowledge about specific health conditions.
Although set up to help users find answers to their health questions, OpenAI stressed that the new feature is not a diagnostic tool or a replacement for professional medical care. It is designed to support, not replace, medical care, such as understanding test results and tracking your health status, and provides formal medical diagnoses and treatment plans.
ChatGPT Health was developed with input from hundreds of doctors around the world to ensure clarity and safety for our users. While it is not meant to replace a medical professional or traditional GP appointment, the number of people using AI to understand health information and medical issues is expected to continue to grow, raising important questions and potential implications for patient care and clinical trust.
(Image source: “The Sick Classroom by Nge Lay” by Jnzl’s Photos is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)
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