- New research by Confused.com Life Insurance finds that 3 in 5 (59%) Brits are now self-diagnosing health issues with AI, with more than a third (35%) likely to try it in future.
- Main health status searches include symptom checks, side effects of medical conditions, treatment options, mental health support, and well-being advice.
- Almost a quarter (24%) of people in the UK feel more comfortable using AI than having a face-to-face appointment.
- Confused.com, spoke to Michael Taylor, 28, from Manchester and Eirini Theodoridou, 32, from Leeds about how they used AI to help improve medical conditions.
Almost 2 in 3 (59%) Brits are now using AI to self-diagnose. And 1 in 10 (11%) claim using AI to self-diagnose helped improve their condition. That’s according to new research from Confused.com life insurance.
The average waiting time for a GP appointment in the UK is currently 19 days, yet searches for “what is my illness?” (85%), “what are the symptoms for” (33%) and “side effects” (22%) have all increased since January 2025.
The research found that people are turning to tools like ChatGPT to expand their health knowledge and self-diagnose, and it highlights their top queries and whether the responses helped. Confused.com spoke with Eirini Theodoridou (32, from Leeds) regarding her experience with AI when using it to support her plantar fasciitis and Michael Taylor (28, from Manchester) regarding his experience with AI when using it to support his suspected eczema:
Eirini Theodoridou – 32, Leeds
What did you use AI to diagnose?
I didn’t use AI for the diagnosis itself but used it to get advice on exercises and stretches for my plantar fasciitis.
Did you try the responses from AI? If so, did they have a positive effect on your condition?
Yes, I followed the recommended exercises and they did help. The stretches and strengthening routines were beneficial in alleviating some of the discomfort and improving mobility.
Do you think more people should try AI for medical assistance, if so – which areas do you think it’s most helpful in? (Symptom checking / product recommendations)
I think AI can be helpful for getting guidance on exercises, stretches, and even lifestyle changes that may complement medical treatment. It’s useful for symptom checking and for getting recommendations for things like shoes or orthotics.
Should people be conscious of using AI, what precautions did you take / would you still speak with a doctor?
People should be cautious and always seek professional medical advice for proper diagnosis. I still spoke with my physio, and the AI advice I followed was meant to support that. It wasn’t a replacement for medical care, but a supplement.
Can you give us an idea of how long it took your condition to improve after using AI advice?
It took about 3 to 4 weeks of consistent exercise and stretching to notice a significant reduction in pain. Improvement wasn’t immediate, but the exercises made a noticeable difference.
If this is a procedure / medical issue you’ve been to the docs with before, can you give us an idea of how much more / less efficient it was using AI?
Using AI wasn’t a replacement for seeing a doctor, but it did make the process more efficient. I was able to get a structured plan for my rehabilitation much quicker, which helped me stay consistent in managing the condition.
What would you say could be improved about medical advice on AI?
I think more personalised recommendations would be useful. Sometimes the advice was broad, and it would be great if AI could tailor suggestions based on individual conditions or specific symptoms.
Have you ever used ChatGPT etc for mental health services like therapy? If so, did that help / would you recommend people use it in future?
I haven’t used AI for mental health support, but I imagine it could be useful for those needing advice on stress management or coping strategies.
Anything else you’d like to add about your experiences?
Overall, AI was a helpful tool for supplementing my recovery routine it was a good way to get information quickly, but not a substitute for professional care.
Michael Taylor – 28, Manchester
What did you use AI to diagnose?
I initially used AI to research the symptoms I was experiencing, which suggested eczema or dermatitis.
Did you try the responses from AI? If so, did they have a positive effect on your condition?
After receiving a formal diagnosis from my doctor and being prescribed several creams to manage the condition, I then turned to AI again to create a structured regimen, helping me use each product in the correct order and at the appropriate times of day.
Do you think more people should try AI for medical assistance, if so – which areas do you think it’s most helpful in?
I think AI works well as an initial point of reference if you’re unsure about symptoms, especially when they’re visible (i.e. skin). It can help narrow down potential causes and avoid the spiral of worst-case scenarios that often comes from Googling. I think AI for medical assistance is helpful in checking initial symptoms and causes.
Should people be conscious of using AI, what precautions did you take / would you still speak with a doctor?
AI should always be approached with caution, and followed up by seeking medical advice from a pharmacy or GP.
Can you give us an idea of how long it took your condition to improve after using AI advice?
The condition improved 2-4 weeks following a visit to my doctor and a planned regimen (via AI) with the prescribed products.
What health-related queries are Brits searching for with AI?
Symptom checks top the list, with almost two-thirds (63%) of people in the UK using AI to search for any physical or mental effects they are feeling. Side effects (50%) follow, with many people (38%) also researching wellbeing techniques in diet and fitness, as well as treatment options (30%) such as medication and surgery. 1 in 5(20%) are also seeking out mental health support in the form of therapy and coping strategies.
| AI Health Query | Percentage |
| Symptom checks | 63% |
| Side effects of medication or conditions | 50% |
| Lifestyle and wellbeing (diet, fitness, stress management, etc.) | 38% |
| Treatment options (medication, physical therapy, surgery, etc.) | 30% |
| Mental health support (therapy, CBT, coping strategies, etc.) | 20% |
Interestingly, more than a third (35%) of people aged 65 and over are using AI for self-diagnosis, with the vast majority (54%) checking their symptoms. Although some of the older generation are self-diagnosing online, 18-24-year-olds heavily rely on the technology, with more than three-quarters (85%) of that age group regularly searching.
Does an AI diagnosis actually help improve a health condition?
Overall, more than 1 in 10 (11%) claimed using AI helped their health situation “a great deal,” with more than 2 in 5 (41%) claiming it helped “somewhat.” This indicates that, for the majority of people, AI has had a positive influence on their health, hopefully encouraging them to visit a GP for a formal diagnosis. Only around 1 in 10 (9%) said it didn’t help them at all, again signalling that those who haven’t found AI to be useful are in the minority.
Other insights include that three-quarters (75%) of non-binary people or those with an alternative identity claimed the diagnosis helped “a great deal,” compared to almost 1 in 10 (9%) women and more than 1 in 10 (13%) men.
What are the advantages of using AI for self-diagnosis?
Almost a half (42%) claim that using AI is quicker than waiting for a doctor’s appointment. In fact, half (50%) of 25-34-year-olds and more than half (51%) of 35-44-year-olds don’t like to take any risks with timings. They believe self-diagnosis online is a faster way to respond than waiting for a doctor.
1 in 5 (20%) also have their family’s wellbeing in mind, researching online to determine how they can best support any loved ones’ health issues. This opinion was most strongly held by the 35-44 age group, where it is held by almost a third (30%) of people.
Interestingly, almost a quarter (24%) feel more comfortable not having to speak face to face with a health professional, especially those aged 18-24, where this number rose to almost two-fifths (39%).
Meanwhile, almost 1 in 5 (17%) are seeking alternative medical advice and solutions, with 25-34-year-olds seeking it out more than any other age group at over a quarter (27%).
| Advantages | Percentage |
| It could be a lot quicker than waiting for a doctor’s appointment. | 42% |
| It could give an understanding of future health conditions to be cautious of in the future, allowing someone to take preventative measures now. | 27% |
| Feeling more comfortable not having to speak face-to-face with a health professional. | 24% |
| It could save money on private healthcare. | 20% |
| It could give peace of mind that you would be able to support your family’s health and wellness in the future. | 20% |
| It could give alternative medical advice outside of the norm, as the recommended professional advice didn’t work. | 17% |
Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com, comments,
“Advances in AI technology have created a new way for people to approach healthcare and self-diagnosis. More individuals are taking steps to support their own and their family’s wellbeing, getting ahead of health concerns and addressing situations as quickly as possible.”
“While AI can be useful for initial research and gaining an understanding of a condition, it’s clear that for the ultimate peace of mind people should consult a GP or pharmacist. GPs and other medical professionals are the only people who can accurately diagnose conditions, some of which may worsen or become long-term illnesses without the proper treatment.”
“For further health reassurance, applying for a life insurance policy can help safeguard families in case any health issues do occur. Critical illness and varied cover options can ensure people are supported in situations where conditions progress or require major treatment, easing stress during what can be an overwhelming time.”
“Some providers even offer virtual GPs as part of their life insurance offerings, giving policyholders access to a doctor whenever they need one via video or phone calls. Whilst they may not always be able to issue a diagnosis, they can help with prescriptions and referrals, giving you an efficient and convenient way of having a potential problem investigated quickly.”
