71% of Indian Healthcare Professionals Say AI Has Expanded Patient Capacity: Report

More than half of healthcare professionals said they save at least 132 hours annually through AI-enabled workflows, allowing them to spend more meaningful time with patients.

Artificial intelligence has strengthened the ability of healthcare professionals in India to care for more patients, with 71% saying the technology has increased their clinical capacity, according to the Philips Future Health Index 2026 India Report.

According to the report, optimism around AI continues to grow among Indian healthcare professionals, with around 85% believing AI can improve patient outcomes.

Among those who reported increased clinical capacity, healthcare professionals said AI has enabled them to see a median of 10 additional patients each week, suggesting that intelligent technologies are helping clinicians manage increasing patient volumes without proportionately increasing workloads.

The report has also found that AI is improving operational efficiency. Nearly 82% of respondents said AI has enhanced workflow efficiency, while 80% reported better access to consolidated patient information across care teams.

More than half of healthcare professionals said they save at least 132 hours annually through AI-enabled workflows, allowing them to spend more meaningful time with patients.

Among those experiencing time savings, 75% said AI has enabled more thorough conversations during consultations.

Bharath Sesha, Managing Director, Philips Indian Subcontinent, said, "India is leapfrogging towards an AI-enabled future for healthcare, and the signs are already evident.”

“India now has a unique opportunity to lead the responsible adoption of AI and redefine how quality care is delivered at scale," he added.

Moreover, about 71% of respondents said AI has improved their work-life balance, while 69% reported lower stress levels and reduced overtime.

Looking ahead, 77% expect AI to create new roles within healthcare as adoption becomes more widespread.

Eighty-three percent of healthcare professionals believe AI can help reduce disparities in the quality of care across different healthcare settings, while 80% believe it can improve access to quality healthcare in underserved and rural communities.

At the same time, the report underscores the importance of responsible AI adoption. While 86% of healthcare professionals said AI-generated outputs require human oversight, 78% reported having corrected AI-generated misinformation.

Additionally, 45% said AI training within their organisations remains limited or inconsistent, highlighting the need for stronger governance, technical support, and workforce training as AI becomes more deeply embedded in clinical practice.

The Future Health Index is Philips' annual global research study that examined the priorities and experiences of more than 2,000 healthcare professionals and over 20,000 patients across 10 countries, including 200 healthcare professionals and 2,004 patients from India.

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