ACCORDING to new research by Confused.com Life Insurance, 51% of Scotland’s population are using AI to self-diagnose their health issues.
The research found that people are turning to tools like ChatGPT to expand their health knowledge and self-diagnose.
Moreover, the data reveals that 11% people in Scotland claim that AI advice has helped improve their health situation, whilst 27% claimed it didn’t help very much.
The data largely reflects pressures on NHS services, which may have led people in Scotland to rely more on AI for medical self-diagnosis.
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.
Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com said: “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.”
