Physicians say patients search online before seeking their expertise

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

DOCTORS ARE GETTING MORE ANXIOUS ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY — BUT THEIR FAITH IN THE DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP ISN'T BUDGING.

A NEW SURVEY OF 1,000 U-S PHYSICIANS FROM PATIENTPOINT FOUND NEARLY TWO-THIRDS SAY THEIR ANXIETY ABOUT THE INDUSTRY HAS INCREASED OVER THE PAST YEAR.

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, FOUND TIME CONSTRAINTS, DOCUMENTATION AND PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS ARE AMONG THEIR BIGGEST DAY-TO-DAY CHALLENGES.

BUT 97 PERCENT STILL BELIEVE THEIR PATIENTS TRUST THEIR EXPERTISE — EVEN AS MORE PATIENTS TURN TO SEARCH ENGINES, SOCIAL MEDIA AND A-I FOR HEALTH INFORMATION.

SO... WHEN YOU HAVE A HEALTH QUESTION, WHERE DO YOU TURN FIRST?

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 1,000 American physicians (M.D. and D.O.) who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by PatientPoint and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Mar. 10 and Mar. 23, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.