Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday healthcare in India, with nearly one in two clinicians now using AI during their routine work. However, a new international survey also shows that concerns about workload, training, and long-term career sustainability continue to affect many healthcare professionals.
The findings are part of Elsevier's Clinician of the Future 2026 report, which surveyed 2,757 clinicians across 118 countries, including doctors and nurses from India. The study explored how healthcare professionals are adapting to AI, increasing patient demands, and changes in clinical practice.
The survey found that 48% of Indian clinicians currently use AI in their professional practice. Many respondents said AI has become a regular part of their workflow, helping them complete tasks more efficiently.
In addition, 75% of Indian clinicians believe AI has the potential to improve patient care, while 50% said AI is already making a positive difference in clinical practice.
Compared with last year, AI adoption has increased substantially, indicating that more healthcare professionals are incorporating digital tools into their daily work.
The findings suggest that clinicians are becoming more familiar with AI technologies; however, experts noted that dedicated clinical AI tools are yet to see widespread adoption.
Dr. Rahul Goyal, lead clinical executive at Elsevier told TOI,
Many clinicians are turning to generic LLMs such as ChatGPT or Claude during clinical workflow. These tools were never designed for medical decision-making. They can produce very confident answers, but a confident answer is not necessarily the correct one.Dr. Rahul Goyal, Lead Clinical Executive, Elsevier
Although AI use is increasing, most clinicians continue to rely on general-purpose AI applications rather than software developed specifically for healthcare.
Among Indian clinicians who use AI:
54% frequently use general AI tools.
26% regularly use clinical-specific AI platforms designed for medical practice.
General AI tools are commonly used for activities such as summarizing information, preparing documents, and searching medical literature. Clinical-specific AI systems are developed using medical evidence and are designed to support healthcare professionals in clinical decision-making.
In a country as large as India, technology can help narrow the variation in treatment between metropolitan hospitals and those in smaller towns. Clinical AI can make medical care more uniform by supporting doctors with evidence-based recommendations instead of individual practice patterns.Dr. Rahul Goyal, Lead Clinical Executive, Elsevier
The report also identified concerns about the future healthcare workforce.
According to the survey, 69% of Indian clinicians said they are concerned they may leave the profession by 2030. The report links these concerns to ongoing pressures within healthcare systems, including increasing workloads and the need to adapt to new technologies.
The survey also found that:
64% reported having access to sufficient digital tools to deliver quality care.
45% believed they had received enough AI-related training.
32% considered the quality of their AI education to be satisfactory.
These findings suggest that while AI adoption is increasing, many clinicians believe additional education and training are needed.
The survey reported differences in AI preparedness between professional groups.
Only 18% of doctors said they had received sufficient AI training, compared with 46% of nurses. The report indicates that access to AI education varies across healthcare professions.
The survey found that Indian clinicians continue to rely on professional judgement when using AI.
Among respondents:
35% reported having a high level of trust in AI.
57% described their trust as moderate.
41% said their workplace provides adequate access to digital technologies.
40% reported that their organisation has policies and governance systems for the responsible use of AI.
The global report states that clinicians are more likely to adopt AI when the technology is transparent, supported by scientific evidence, easy to use, and integrated into routine clinical workflows.
The survey also examined global trends in healthcare. Worldwide, 49% of clinicians reported using AI in their work, while 50% said AI is already improving patient care. The report found that 61% of clinicians are treating more patients than they did one year ago, yet 65% believe they still have enough time to provide quality care.
Among clinicians who regularly use AI, the use of clinical-specific AI platforms increased from 22% in 2025 to 34% in 2026, reflecting growing adoption of healthcare-focused AI technologies.
According to Elsevier, AI is becoming increasingly integrated into healthcare practice worldwide. The report also highlights the importance of clinician training, evidence-based AI tools, organizational support, and clear governance frameworks to support the safe and effective use of AI in patient care.
1. Elsevier. Clinician of the Future 2026. Elsevier, 2026. Accessed July 24, 2026. https://www.elsevier.com/insights/clinician-of-the-future/2026.
(Rh/SS/MSM)