More than half of (51%) people in Scotland are now using AI to self-diagnose, with one in ten (11%) who use AI to self-diagnose saying that it helped improve their condition, according to new research from Confused.com life insurance.

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.

The research found that people are turning to tools like ChatGPT to expand their health knowledge and self-diagnose, and it highlights their top queries and whether the responses helped.

What health-related queries are people in Scotland searching for with AI?

Symptom checks top the list, with almost two-thirds (63%) of people in the Scotland using AI to search for any physical or mental effects they are feeling. Side effects (48%) follow, with many people (41%) also researching wellbeing techniques in diet and fitness, as well as treatment options (32%) such as medication and surgery. 1 in 10 (9%) are also seeking out mental health support in the form of therapy and coping strategies.

Why turn to AI?

Currently 11% people in Scotland claim that AI advice has helped improve their health situation, whilst 27% claimed it didn’t very much.

Key advantages for Scottish people using AI include less waiting time or a doctor’s appointment (42%), while some find it more comfortable than speaking face to face with a health professional (23%).

Others say that AI could provide them with a better understanding of future health conditions, allowing for preventative measures (29%).

Scots also said AI could save them money on private healthcare (16%), it could provide them peace of mind on them and their family’s health (16%), and it could give alternative medical advice outside of the norm (14%).

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“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,” Tom Vaughan, life insurance expert at Confused.com, said.

“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.

“For further health reassurance, applying for a life insurance policy can help safeguard families in case any health issues do occur. Critical illness and varied cover options can ensure people are supported in situations where conditions progress or require major treatment, easing stress during what can be an overwhelming time.

“Some providers even offer virtual GPs as part of their life insurance offerings, giving policyholders access to a doctor whenever they need one via video or phone calls. Whilst they may not always be able to issue a diagnosis, they can help with prescriptions and referrals, giving you an efficient and convenient way of having a potential problem investigated quickly.”

The popularity of AI being used for health queries comes at contentious time for the tech in the medical sphere. Google has been pushed to take down some of its AI health summaries for providing misleading or incorrect information.

Meanwhile, OpenAI is trialling the launch of ChatGPT Health to select users in the US, which will let users upload medical records for detailed advice from the AI chat in its own siloed health channel.