91% of Health Systems Use AI, But 72% of Patients Still Struggle to Access Care
A Wakefield Research survey of 200 healthcare IT executives and 800 patients — commissioned by Hyro and Pixel Health — found that 91% of health systems now use AI in some capacity, yet 72% of patients still report struggling to access care. Fifty-one percent of patients have abandoned a care attempt because scheduling was too complex. A significant execution gap emerged around follow-up: 56% of providers say they proactively contact patients, but only 25% of patients report receiving outreach more than once a year. Notably, all 200 provider respondents agreed that improving patient access is a top priority — suggesting the gap is not one of intent but of execution, channel consistency, and patient trust in AI-enabled communication tools. The report identifies inadequate care navigation, fragmented digital tools, and limited patient trust in AI as the primary barriers.
For growth leaders, this data reframes the AI investment story: near-universal adoption among health systems hasn’t closed the access gap for patients. Scheduling complexity, follow-up execution, and patient trust are still the conversion levers — and they require operational and communication redesign, not just additional technology deployment.
Note: This research was commissioned by Hyro and Pixel Health, both vendors in the healthcare technology space. Findings should be read with that context in mind. While we aim to share useful and relevant resources, we do not guarantee the accuracy of content on this site or any external links. Views and opinions expressed in referenced content do not necessarily reflect those of Healthcare Growth Strategies.