Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of everyday medical practice in India, helping doctors and other healthcare professionals improve patient care and streamline their work. However, even as AI adoption grows, many clinicians remain concerned about the future of the profession, with burnout, limited training, and inadequate workplace support emerging as major challenges.

According to the Clinician of the Future 2026 report, 48% of doctors and clinicians in India now use AI in their work, highlighting how quickly digital technology is being adopted across the healthcare sector. The report also paints a mixed picture: while healthcare professionals see AI as a powerful tool, many feel they are not fully prepared to use it effectively.

One of the report's most striking findings is that 69% of Indian clinicians are concerned they may leave the profession by 2030, reflecting growing worries about workload, stress, and the changing demands of healthcare.

Despite these concerns, healthcare professionals remain optimistic about AI's potential. Around 75% believe AI can improve patient care, while 50% say AI is already making a positive difference in clinical practice today.

The use of AI has increased significantly over the past year. Nearly 49% of clinicians now use AI tools for work, up from 26% a year earlier. Among AI users, 34% regularly use healthcare-specific AI tools, while 56% rely on general-purpose AI platforms to assist with everyday tasks such as documentation, information gathering, and workflow support.

Looking ahead, clinicians expect AI to become an even more important part of healthcare. About 80% believe AI will serve as a valuable assistant to healthcare professionals over the next five to ten years. More than half also think AI will help improve the quality of care, patient outcomes, and doctor-patient consultations.

However, the report highlights several barriers that could slow AI adoption.

Although 64% of clinicians say they have access to enough digital tools to provide quality care, only 45% feel they have received adequate AI training. Even fewer, 32% overall, say they have received a good-quality AI education.

The gap is particularly noticeable among doctors. Only 18% of doctors reported receiving sufficient AI training, compared with 46% of nurses, suggesting that many physicians are still learning how to integrate AI into clinical practice.

Trust in AI also remains moderate rather than complete. Around 35% of clinicians said they have a high level of trust in AI tools, while 57% reported moderate trust, indicating that most healthcare professionals still believe human judgment should remain central to medical decision-making.

The report also raises concerns about whether healthcare organisations are prepared for wider AI adoption. Only 41% of clinicians believe their workplace provides good access to digital technologies, including AI. The number drops to 30% among doctors, although 51% of nurses report having adequate access.

Similarly, only 40% of clinicians believe their organisations have strong governance systems and policies to ensure the safe and responsible use of AI.

Overall, the findings suggest that AI is becoming an important partner in Indian healthcare rather than a replacement for doctors. While clinicians recognise its ability to improve efficiency and patient care, experts say that better training, stronger governance, and greater organisational support will be essential to ensure AI is used safely and effectively in the years ahead.

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Published By:

Smarica Pant

Published On:

Jul 22, 2026 12:29 IST