India among APAC's most AI‑ready healthcare markets: Report
New Delhi, June 17
India stands out as one of the Asia‑Pacific region's most AI‑ready healthcare markets, with 78 per cent of consumers using generative AI to better understand diagnoses and treatment options, a report said on Wednesday.
The report from Bain & Company said 73 per cent of Indian consumers use it to prepare for appointments, and 72 per cent use it to navigate the healthcare system.
Gen Z's are driving digital health adoption, with 66 per cent of Gen Z respondents using online pharmacies and demonstrating higher engagement with AI-enabled healthcare tools and services.
The report said rising expectations for convenience and coordination are colliding with a stretched clinical workforce in Asia-Pacific healthcare systems. This accelerates the shift toward new care models and AI-enabled support.
Consumers in India show particularly strong demand for easier access and responsiveness as 88 per cent respondents said they expect more convenient healthcare experiences, 79 per cent expect phone and messaging accessibility from doctors.
Around 93 per cent Indian respondents wanted a single point of coordination across their healthcare journey. The report added that healthcare affordability and access remain key challenges, with 43 per cent citing high costs, 42 per cent citing long wait times and 30 per cent mentioning delays in securing appointments.
Fragmentation compounds the burden, with more than 45 per cent of consumers reporting difficulties navigating the healthcare system, and 62 per cent citing they often need to consult multiple providers before receiving the right diagnosis or treatment plan, contributing to the strong demand for a more coordinated healthcare experience.
Around 59 per cent favoured an in-person clinic as their primary coordination point, reflecting continued trust in traditional healthcare providers such as primary care physicians (85 per cent) and hospitals (75 per cent).
While alternate care models are gaining traction across Asia-Pacific, India continues to lag the regional average in alternate site-of-care adoption at 42 per cent versus 57 per cent APAC average.
Telehealth remains largely complementary -- used for non-acute cases and not a substitute; limited payer-driven steerage in India's predominantly cash-pay market.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Yes, AI is helpful, but let's not ignore the ground reality. 43% citing high costs, 42% long wait times – that's what really matters. I live in a tier-2 city and finding a good specialist still takes weeks. AI can't fix the shortage of doctors in rural areas. We need infrastructure first, then fancy tech. But Gen Z using online pharmacies – that's promising for the future.
Interesting report. I'm an expat living in Bangalore and the healthcare system here is actually quite advanced – the AI adoption makes sense given India's tech-savvy population. But 42% adoption of alternate care models vs 57% APAC average shows there's room for growth. Telehealth helped me during COVID, but for serious stuff, I still prefer visiting a clinic. The trust in primary care physicians (85%) shows people value human touch.
As a medical student, this report gives me hope but also concern. AI can reduce diagnosis errors and help patients, but we must ensure data privacy – healthcare data is sensitive! Also, 62% consulting multiple providers before correct diagnosis shows system inefficiency. We need AI to help doctors, not replace them. Personally, I use AI to study – it's amazing for understanding complex diseases. But affordability (43%) remains the elephant in the room.
I used AI to prepare for my mother's cataract surgery appointment – it helped me ask better questions. But the report highlights a key pain point: "more than 45% reporting difficulty navigating the system." That's me every time! We need AI-powered portals that actually integrate all our medical records. Government should invest in this. Also, 59% preferring in-person clinics shows we still trust the old ways. Good, but let's not overhype.
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