GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than half of American adults (59%) believe using artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in diagnosis and treatment will result in better health outcomes for patients and reduce the cost of healthcare (57%) within the next decade, according to a survey conducted on behalf of Gwynedd Mercy University (GMercyU) by The Harris Poll.
According to the survey, three-quarters of American adults (75%) believe AI should play a role in educating and training healthcare professionals, highlighting the importance of technological innovation in healthcare training and education.
The survey also found that a strong majority of American adults (77%) believe AI can effectively reduce healthcare disparities in the next five years, particularly through enhanced early detection of diseases (42%) and the use of AI-powered diagnostic tools to provide affordable healthcare options (36%).
“It is thrilling to consider how technology will advance healthcare and enhance patient outcomes in the coming years,” said Dr. Jane Tang, Dean of the Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions. “While AI can never replace the critical human connection in healthcare, the ability to automate certain tasks will allow physicians, nurses, and other clinicians to focus more on delivering exceptional patient care. We are excited to be at the forefront of preparing healthcare professionals to lead in a healthcare system that seamlessly integrates innovation with humanity."
The survey of 2,099 U.S. adults, conducted online in mid-November 2024 by The Harris Poll on behalf of Gwynedd Mercy University, found broad acceptance of AI-assisted healthcare services, as 77% expressed willingness to use these tools. Roughly one-third of American adults would consider using AI for remote monitoring of chronic conditions (35%), predictive health alerts (33%), or virtual health assistance (31%). Americans also see using AI to help with scheduling, billing, and other administrative tasks as enhancing the patient experience (65%) and reducing costs (64%) within the next decade.
Those findings come even as Americans emphasize the importance of proper AI implementation. Nearly nine in 10 American adults (88%) express concerns about the increasing use of AI in healthcare settings, with 58% worried about the lack of human oversight.
GMercyU's Frances M. Maguire '55 Healthcare Innovation Center (HIC), scheduled to open later this year, will emphasize the intentional and ethical use of technology, including AI. The 63,000-square-foot building will feature the latest technology tools to provide students with hands-on experience in improving patient care and outcomes.
“The validation of our approach to healthcare education through these survey findings is encouraging,” said Deanne H. D’Emilio, JD, President of GMercyU. “We recognize the impact of AI in the field and remain focused on preparing students to balance technological advancements with the empathy and ethical decision-making that define exceptional healthcare.”
AI is already transforming healthcare delivery across clinical settings. HIMSS and WebMD's Medscape found that 86% of medical organizations are using AI tools, with 57% reporting increased efficiency and productivity, and Philips reported that 92% of global healthcare leaders consider automation essential for addressing staff shortages by streamlining repetitive tasks and processes.
To learn more about how GMercyU prepares students for careers in healthcare, please visit https://www.gmercyu.edu.
About Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University prepares students to become top professionals in the fields of nursing and other health professions, education, business, and the arts and sciences. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1948, Gwynedd Mercy University is a co-educational institution offering more than 70 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and associate degree programs. The University’s campus is situated on 145 private acres on Sumneytown Pike between routes 309 and 202 in Gwynedd Valley, Montgomery County. The University also offers online/accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs for working professionals and career-changers. Learn more at gmercyu.edu, or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is a global consulting and market research firm that strives to reveal the authentic values of modern society to inspire leaders to create a better tomorrow. It works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. One of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., The Harris Poll has tracked public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963, and is now part of Stagwell, the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.
Survey Method
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Gwynedd Mercy from Nov. 15-19, 2024, among 2,099 adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.
For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact marketing@gmercyu.edu.
