New survey gathers concerns of implementing tech in healthcare

Independent research by health technology consultancy nuom has found that while the UK public is largely open to innovative uses of tech in healthcare, trust drops significantly when AI is involved in more personal aspects of care.

The survey consulted 2,000 UK adults on their opinion of the use of tech in healthcare and was conducted in February this year.

The results concluded that:

• 67% are happy for technology to be used more widely in healthcare if it frees up professionals to treat those who need it most.
• Half (50%) of respondents are comfortable with AI being used for managing appointments, and only 29% trust AI to provide basic health advice.
• Just 15% would trust AI to assist with mental health support through well-being tools and apps.

Many concerned about the growing use of AI in healthcare

The growing acceptance of the use of tech in healthcare could be linked to the growing popularity of wearable devices and apps. The research found that more than two-thirds (67%) believe they can help people take responsibility for their health and wellness.

However, the results show a change in sentiment when respondents were asked about AI. While over half (53%) believe AI could help relieve pressure on the UK health system, 61% feel there is not enough evidence yet to determine if AI in healthcare is trustworthy or reliable, and only 29% would trust AI to provide basic health advice.

Sentiments were split when it came to confidence levels towards even administrative tasks, with only half (50%) of respondents feeling comfortable with AI booking and managing medical appointments.

Can tech truly provide personalised healthcare?

Trust in AI’s ability to provide personalised care also remains low. When asked about which healthcare activities they would trust AI to do, only 19% of respondents said they would feel confident relying on AI to deliver personalised health advice based on their medical history.

Meanwhile, just 14% of people said they would trust AI to replace a doctor’s appointment for minor health issues through tools like chatbots.

Only 15% would trust AI to assist with mental health support through well-being tools and apps – one of the lowest trust levels recorded across all AI healthcare applications.
Martin Sandhu, Managing Partner at nuom explained: “People are becoming increasingly engaged in the maintenance of their own health, with technology like wearables and apps now part of everyday life.

“There’s a growing recognition that these tools can help individuals manage their well-being while also easing pressure on healthcare services. Yet, when it comes to AI in healthcare, that same openness hasn’t fully taken hold – trust remains a major hurdle.”

Tech in healthcare will only keep growing – can we ever fully trust it?

However, Sandhu thinks that the better people understand how AI in healthcare works, the more adaptable they will become to it.

He stated: “To many, it still suggests images of impersonal robots, overly complex systems, or sci-fi hype. However, it’s not about replacing human care; it’s about enhancing it.

“Whether it’s managing appointments or supporting personalised health advice, AI can play a major role in making healthcare more efficient and accessible. The challenge? Without clear communication, these benefits often get lost in the noise.”

As AI becomes more common in healthcare, building public trust will be important. Tech providers need to be clear about how their technology works and how it complements the care people already rely on and communicate this in a transparent way.

Just as we’ve seen with other health technologies, once people understand the real value AI can bring – especially in helping to ease the strain on the health service – they’re far more likely to embrace it.