The trend: 38% of healthcare providers report that patients regularly bring ChatGPT-generated summaries to appointments, according to a Tebra survey of 211 US providers in February.

But they’re not only bringing genAI into the office—they’re taking action before they arrive. More than one-third (37%) say patients have made serious health decisions based on ChatGPT output before consulting a provider.

Why it matters: As genAI results show up more frequently in exam rooms, healthcare providers are weighing both the risks and value for patients.

• 64% say patients’ use of ChatGPT increases misinformation risk, and 44% say it adds confusion to appointments.
• But they also see its value: 60% of providers also say genAI helps explain medical terms, and 29% believe it improves patient engagement.

The near-even split between concerns and perceived benefits suggests genAI is becoming embedded in patient health journeys even as its role in care remains uncertain.

Still, most are more comfortable with ChatGPT for information or education.

• More than half (56%) of providers see genAI’s value as an educational tool around diagnoses and 52% as a pre-visit question-prep tool, per Tebra.
• One-third (32%) think ChatGPT should only be used under physician guidance, underscoring continued caution around patient use without clinical oversight.

Implications for healthcare providers and pharma companies: ChatGPT is shaping how some patients think about their health before they walk into an appointment.

For healthcare providers, the shift isn’t just about correcting misinformation—it’s also about managing time and expectations. When patients arrive with AI-generated information, providers may need to spend part of the visit resetting the conversation before moving forward.

For pharma companies, growing patient reliance on AI tools signals potential changes in how health information is discovered and summarized. If chatbot responses increasingly shape patient understanding, pharma marketers need to ensure that their content is structured, visible, and easy to interpret for AI agents. Develop and reinforce expertise around brands to appeal to AI priorities.