A new ModMed survey of 2,000 U.S. patients finds rising acceptance of artificial intelligence for administrative tasks that give physicians more face-to-face time, while skepticism remains over AI-led diagnosis and treatment decisions.
More than half of U.S. patients would support artificial-intelligence tools such as ambient listening documentation systems if the technology allows physicians to spend more time face-to-face, according to a nationwide survey released by healthcare-technology firm ModMed. The poll of 2,000 adults—conducted online by Talker Research between December 2 and 6, 2024—benchmarked attitudes toward specific AI uses from check-in to payment.
Administrative Tasks Win Patient Approval
In the ModMed survey, 57% of respondents said they would accept AI documentation in the exam room to free physicians from computer work. By contrast, only 45% were comfortable with AI contributing to diagnosis or treatment planning. Support was stronger for behind-the-scenes chores: 42% liked AI help with prescription refills, 35% with appointment scheduling and reminders, and 31% with digital check-in.
Transparency and Safety Standards Matter
Clear disclosure ranked high. Eighty-one percent want to be told whenever their doctor’s office uses AI in any capacity, and 55% expect notification if the technology assists with diagnosis or treatment. Most respondents (83%) said AI applied to clinical decisions must meet safety and accuracy benchmarks, while 72% want to know the source of an algorithm’s training data.
Mixed Feelings on Financial AI
While 57% endorsed AI that speeds insurance-claim processing, just 24% were comfortable with AI appealing denied claims, and 34% were uneasy about systems that access credit-card information.
Industry Perspective
“For too long, technology has put screens and paperwork between doctors and their patients,” said Dan Cane, co-founder and co-CEO of ModMed. “Our vision is to remove those barriers. This lets doctors and providers focus on patients, knowing intelligent systems work quietly in the background, anticipating needs and streamlining processes. We believe this is the best way to truly unlock AI’s potential in healthcare.”
Cane added, “As this research suggests, patients want a more human-centered experience, and they see AI as a solution, provided it’s transparent. We remain committed to delivering safe, responsible AI that genuinely improves experiences for both clinicians and patients.”
Methodology
Talker Research distributed the online survey to U.S. adults aged 18 and older who had visited a physician within the past year, collecting 2,000 responses.
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