Future Health Index 2026: Artificial Intelligence Is Already Saving Physicians Time and Delivering Real Benefits to Healthcare

AI saves healthcare professionals approximately 16 working days per year, while half of respondents report that it enables them to see more patients.
39% of healthcare professionals say that during the past three months AI has helped identify or prevent potential medical errors at least three times.
70% of healthcare professionals believe that AI training is insufficient, inconsistent, or not available at all.

Artificial intelligence is already helping physicians save more than 16 working days annually, allowing them to treat more patients. However, healthcare systems still face a number of challenges before they can fully realize AI’s potential. These findings come from Philips’ 11th annual Future Health Index 2026 report, based on a survey of more than 2,000 healthcare professionals and 20,000 patients across 10 countries.

Artificial Intelligence Is Transforming Healthcare Delivery

The findings of the Future Health Index 2026 demonstrate that AI is already reshaping healthcare delivery by transforming it into a hybrid model in which technology serves as an integral extension of clinical teams.

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of healthcare professionals report using AI tools available in their workplace more frequently, with tangible results already becoming evident.

Healthcare professionals report that AI consistently saves them time. Nearly half of respondents (46%) say AI helps them save at least 132 hours annually, equivalent to more than three working weeks.
50% of respondents now have the capacity to see more patients, averaging eight additional patients per week.

The time saved allows physicians to work more efficiently, dedicate greater attention to complex clinical cases, and improve communication with patients. As a result, AI is fundamentally changing the way healthcare is delivered.

Shez Partovi, Chief Innovation Officer at Philips, commented:

"It is extremely encouraging to see AI already delivering tangible benefits in everyday clinical practice for both healthcare professionals and patients. We see clinicians saving significant amounts of time, caring for more patients, and experiencing greater job satisfaction. AI’s primary role is to support healthcare professionals by giving them more time for what matters most—clinical decision-making and patient care. At the same time, we recognize that many hospitals are only beginning their AI journey, meaning substantial work still lies ahead in building infrastructure and providing education."

Less Stress, Greater Confidence, and Safer Care

By automating routine tasks and optimizing workflows, AI also reduces healthcare professionals' emotional and cognitive workload. Nearly half of respondents (49%) report experiencing lower stress levels at work, while 65% say they feel more confident when making clinical decisions.

Importantly, 39% of respondents report that AI has helped identify or prevent potential medical errors at least three times over the past three months.

Dr. Ami Bhatt, Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology, noted: "Physicians are beginning to see AI not as an abstract technology, but as a practical tool that genuinely enhances patient safety."

Many Healthcare Organizations Are Still Catching Up

Although most healthcare professionals report increased efficiency, AI implementation continues to reveal significant organizational challenges. While some hospitals are already achieving substantial benefits, others remain stuck in pilot projects.

Integrating AI into clinical practice remains a complex process. One of the greatest barriers is fragmented healthcare IT infrastructure and poor interoperability between systems, preventing AI from being effectively deployed across departments and throughout the patient care pathway.

A majority of physicians (59%) believe their organizations' leadership is taking the right steps toward AI implementation. However, uneven progress and limited education highlight considerable untapped potential: seven out of ten healthcare professionals report that AI training is inadequate, inconsistent, or entirely unavailable.

Healthcare professionals identify their greatest educational needs as learning how to:

validate AI-generated recommendations;
develop technical skills for working with AI applications;
understand the legal responsibilities associated with AI use.

The report indicates that healthcare is currently undergoing a major transformation. AI is already reshaping medicine, yet adoption levels vary considerably between institutions and clinical specialties. While technology continues to transform patient care, the success of the next stage will depend on effective integration and strong support from healthcare systems.

To ensure healthcare professionals can confidently and systematically use AI in clinical practice, it is essential to provide them with access to the right tools, high-quality training, strong leadership support, and clear governance frameworks. Ultimately, this will free up more time for direct patient interaction and critical clinical responsibilities.

Patients Are Increasingly Using AI to Prepare for Medical Consultations

Technology is also helping healthcare professionals unlock their full potential. For example, 71% of respondents say AI enables them to work at their highest level of effectiveness, while 82% expect routine administrative tasks to continue decreasing, allowing them to focus on more complex and meaningful clinical work.

Interestingly, patients are also becoming more actively involved in managing their own health. Nearly three-quarters of physicians (74%) report that patients are increasingly using AI to research their health conditions before consultations. Most healthcare professionals (63%) welcome this increased level of patient engagement and are willing to collaborate with informed patients. Patients themselves share this optimism, with 56% believing that AI will help them better manage their own health in the future.

Carla Goulart Peron, Chief Medical Officer at Philips, added:

"Saving time is about much more than improving operational efficiency. Half of the physicians we surveyed report experiencing lower stress levels and achieving a better work-life balance. For patients, these changes mean higher-quality interactions with their doctors, greater attention during consultations, and a stronger sense of being heard. As a physician, I know that trust is built through genuine human connection. When we create more time for those moments, everyone benefits."

About the Future Health Index 2026

The Future Health Index is one of the world's largest international healthcare research initiatives, exploring the perspectives of healthcare professionals and patients across multiple countries.

The 2026 report is based on a survey of more than 2,000 healthcare professionals and over 20,000 patients across 10 countries. The study examines how artificial intelligence is currently being used in healthcare and the value it delivers to both clinicians and patients.

To learn more and download the full Future Health Index 2026 report, please visit: www.philips.com/futurehealthindex-2026