One in seven Britons consult AI instead of visiting a doctor

According to a survey conducted in the UK among more than 2,000 people, 15% of respondents turn to AI chatbots for medical information instead of visiting a doctor. Of these people, every fourth cited long NHS queues as the reason.

Pressure on NHS and Search for Alternatives

The UK's National Health Service faces chronic overcrowding. The average waiting time for a GP appointment reaches two to three weeks, and in some areas even longer. Patients with acute symptoms cannot wait and seek help online. Chatbots like ChatGPT offer answers in seconds, are available 24/7, and require no appointment booking. For people with urgent questions, these often become the first port of call before attempting to contact a doctor. It's hardly surprising that patients use them — it's a matter of accessibility, not preference.

An "Extremely Concerning" Trend, According to Doctors

Doctors have called the survey results "extremely concerning." The main problem: chatbots can give incorrect advice, leading to delayed treatment or misdiagnosis. AI cannot conduct an examination, does not see a patient's full medical history, cannot gather the nuances of symptoms the way a doctor does. The research was conducted against the backdrop of debates about AI's role in medicine. While some countries are already integrating AI into healthcare systems to support diagnostics (analyzing images, finding patterns in test results), in the UK, mass use of AI by patients without medical supervision raises concerns. Doctors point to cases where people delayed seeking medical care until a critical moment based on chatbot advice.

"This presents a real risk to patient health," say representatives of

the medical community.

Where AI Can Help and Where It Cannot

Chatbots have already proven useful in certain scenarios:

• Providing initial information about symptoms and possible causes
• Reminders about healthy lifestyle and prevention
• Support for chronic conditions between appointments
• Reducing fear and anxiety before visiting a doctor through anonymity

But they do not replace diagnosis and clinical examination. If a patient complains of chest pain, a chatbot can list many causes — from heartburn to a heart attack. But only a doctor, having listened to the patient, conducted an examination and tests, can make the correct diagnosis. Automated advice without clinical context is a gamble.

What This Means

The study shows that pressure on the NHS has increased demand for alternatives — and AI fills that gap, albeit imperfectly. This does not mean chatbots are bad, but doctors and patients must clearly understand the limits of their application. In essence, the problem is not with AI, but with insufficient healthcare resources and the need for system reform.