Physicians Are Under Pressure, Their Confidence in the Patient Relationship Isn't

PatientPoint's inaugural Physician Confidence Index finds 63% report rising healthcare industry anxiety, while 97% believe their patients trust them

CINCINNATI, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PatientPoint®, the Point of Change company, today released its inaugural Physician Confidence Index, conducted in partnership with Talker Research, revealing a striking tension in the physician experience: pressure is rising, but confidence in the patient relationship remains remarkably strong.

The findings show physicians navigating growing administrative demands, evolving technology and changing patient expectations while remaining highly protective of the trust and human connection at the center of care.

Pressure Is Rising, but Physician Confidence Holds
Nearly two-thirds of physicians (63%) said their anxiety about the healthcare industry has increased over the past year.  Their most common day-to-day challenges include time constraints (72%), electronic health record documentation burdens (70%), prior authorizations (65%), high patient volume (57%) and staffing shortages (57%).

Those pressures extend into changing patient expectations. Sixty percent of physicians said patients increasingly expect 24/7 access to care, while 54% cited expectations for shorter wait times and 54% said patients are asking more questions than in the past. Physicians are also seeing greater anxiety around affordability, with 69% saying their patients have become more anxious about the cost of recommended care than they were five years ago.

The research also suggests physicians may be carrying more of their patients' anxiety than patients themselves report. Seventy percent of physicians believe patients feel anxious ahead of a visit, compared with 53% of patients who reported pre-visit anxiety in PatientPoint's 2026 Patient Confidence Index. The difference extends to other emotions: 59% of physicians believe patients feel stressed and 46% believe they feel overwhelmed, compared with patient-reported rates of 43% and 25%, respectively.

Despite pressures, physicians remain remarkably confident in the relationship at the center of care. Nearly all respondents (97%) believe their patients trust them as their provider, while 95% said they provide patients with a satisfactory experience.

"There's a striking contrast in these findings: physicians are feeling more pressure from the healthcare system, but that pressure hasn't shaken their confidence in the relationship they have with patients," said Kyle Barich, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at PatientPoint. "In fact, that relationship may matter more than ever. When patients arrive with questions, anxiety and information from a growing number of sources, the physician remains the trusted source who can turn information into understanding and confidence."

Physicians Want Technology to Strengthen, Not Replace, the Human Connection
Physicians are notably optimistic about technology's ability to improve care. Seventy-six percent of physicians believe new technology will improve the patient experience, compared with 49% of patients in PatientPoint's 2026 Patient Confidence Index. At the same time, physicians and patients are closely aligned on what they do not want technology to change: the human connection at the center of care. Sixty-four percent of physicians said they are concerned that AI could remove the personal touch from care, closely aligning with the 67% of patients who expressed the same concern.

That tension is becoming increasingly relevant as AI moves into the patient experience. Sixty-eight percent of physicians said they have had patients bring AI-generated health information to their visits, highlighting the growing number of sources patients consult before entering the doctor's office. Fifty-four percent of physicians characterized the AI-generated health information patients share with them as trustworthy.

The findings also show how technology and AI are already shaping physicians' practices and patient interactions. Respondents reported using a range of technology in their practices, including clinical decision-support tools (73%), telehealth platforms (67%), AI-powered documentation tools (64%) and digital intake and check-in (64%).

Physicians see that potential in practical terms. More tailored diagnoses and treatment plans (66%), faster and easier access to doctors (65%), a better overall care experience (60%) and faster treatment options (54%) were among the leading potential benefits of AI in healthcare.

That optimism is also shaping physicians' vision for the future of the doctor's office. Physicians' top responses for what will become standard included AI-assisted documentation (77%), patient self-scheduling (59%), digital or biometric check-in (50%), point-of-care test results (50%) and AI-supported diagnosis (49%).

"The future of the doctor's office isn't technology versus human connection. The opportunity is to use technology to create more room for that connection," Barich said. "The best tools will reduce friction, improve access to relevant information and give physicians more time to do what technology can't: listen, explain and build trust."

The full 2026 Physician Confidence Index explores physician pressure, patient expectations, patient education, technology and the future of the doctor's office, with comparisons to findings from PatientPoint's broader 2026 Confidence Index research. Explore the full research and findings here.

The 2026 Physician Confidence Index is based on a March 2026 survey of 1,000 physicians, including M.D.s and D.O.s. The research was conducted through a random, double-opt-in survey by market research firm Talker Research. Talker Research team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

About PatientPoint
PatientPoint® is the Point of Change company, transforming the healthcare experience through trusted behavior-changing engagement delivered in trusted, high-attention healthcare environments. With a presence in 32,000 physician offices nationwide, we connect patients, healthcare providers and health brands with relevant information that is proven to drive healthier decisions and better outcomes. Learn more at patientpoint.com.

SOURCE PatientPoint