Philips Future Health Index 2025: AI poised to transform global healthcare, urging leaders to act now

Core Insights - The Future Health Index 2025 report by Royal Philips highlights the urgent need for healthcare transformation, emphasizing AI's potential to alleviate care delays and manage data overload, while also noting significant trust gaps among clinicians and patients that could hinder adoption [1][2][5] Group 1: Healthcare Delivery Challenges - Over half of the 16 surveyed countries report patients waiting nearly two months or more for specialist appointments, with waits in Canada and Spain extending to four months or longer [2] - 33% of patients have experienced worsening health due to delays in seeing a doctor, and more than 25% end up hospitalized due to long wait times [3] - A projected shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030 could exacerbate the issue of timely care [3] Group 2: Clinician Burden and AI Potential - More than 75% of healthcare professionals report losing clinical time due to incomplete or inaccessible patient data, with one-third losing over 45 minutes per shift, equating to 23 full days lost annually [4] - Clinicians view AI as a potential solution to these inefficiencies, but delayed adoption poses risks [4] Group 3: Trust and Adoption Barriers - There is a significant trust gap, with 34% more clinicians recognizing AI's benefits compared to patients, particularly among those aged 45 and older [5] - 69% of clinicians are involved in AI development, but only 38% believe these tools meet real-world needs, with over 75% unclear about liability for AI-driven errors [5] - Data bias is a major concern, risking the deepening of healthcare disparities if not addressed [5] Group 4: Future Directions for AI in Healthcare - Patients desire AI to enhance safety, reduce errors, and improve outcomes, while clinicians emphasize the need for clear legal and ethical standards, strong scientific validation, and continuous oversight [6] - Regulatory frameworks must evolve to balance innovation with patient safety and foster trust among clinicians [7] - By 2030, AI could potentially double patient capacity by automating administrative tasks [7]