One in seven Britons consults AI instead of seeing a doctor

A UK survey of more than 2000 people found that 15% of respondents turn to AI chatbots for medical information instead of seeing a doctor. One in four of them cited long NHS waiting lists as the reason.

Pressure on the NHS and the search for alternatives

The UK's National Health Service is chronically overstretched. The average wait for a GP appointment runs two to three weeks, and even longer in some areas. Patients with acute symptoms can't afford to wait, so they look for help online.

Chatbots like ChatGPT answer in seconds, are available 24/7, and don't require an appointment. For people with urgent questions, they often become the first port of call before they try to reach a doctor. It's no surprise that patients use them: this is a question of access, not preference.

An "extremely worrying" trend, doctors say

Doctors called the survey's findings "extremely worrying." The main problem is that chatbots can give the wrong advice, which can lead to delayed treatment or a misdiagnosis. AI can't examine a patient, doesn't see their full medical history, and can't pick up on the nuances of symptoms the way a doctor does.

The survey comes amid an ongoing debate over AI's role in medicine. Some countries are already integrating AI into their healthcare systems to support diagnostics (analyzing scans, finding patterns in test results). In the UK, however, widespread use by patients without medical oversight is raising concerns. Clinicians point to cases where people followed a chatbot's advice and put off seeing a doctor until the situation became critical.

"This poses a real risk to patient health," representatives of the

medical community say.

Where AI can help, and where it can't

Chatbots have already proven useful in some scenarios:

• Basic information about symptoms and their possible causes
• Reminders about healthy habits and prevention
• Support for chronic conditions between appointments
• Reducing fear and anxiety about seeing a doctor, thanks to anonymity

But they don't replace diagnosis or a clinical examination. If a patient complains of chest pain, a chatbot can list a long range of possible causes, from heartburn to a heart attack. Only a doctor who listens to the patient, examines them, and orders tests can make the right diagnosis. Automated advice without clinical context is a lottery.

What it means

The survey shows that pressure on the NHS has boosted demand for alternatives, and AI is filling that gap, albeit imperfectly. That doesn't mean chatbots are bad, but doctors and patients need a clear understanding of their limits. Ultimately, the problem isn't AI; it's underfunded healthcare and the need for system reform.