Key takeaways
- According to OpenAI, more than 40 million people worldwide ask ChatGPT health-related questions every day.
- In the U.S., 7 out of 10 health questions occur outside typical clinic hours.
- The findings may differ from Korea, but hospitals should prepare key guidance in writing for patients to access outside clinic hours.
Study findings - When and how often do people ask health questions?
This is from “AI as a Healthcare Ally,” a report OpenAI published in January 2026. It draws on an analysis of anonymized ChatGPT messages and a survey commissioned by OpenAI.
- Usage scale (global): More than 5% of all messages are health-related · Among more than 800 million regular users, 1 in 4 ask health questions every week · More than 40 million people
- Time of use (U.S.): Of health-related questions and conversations, 7 out of 10 take place outside clinic hours. The report defines typical local clinic hours as 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Topics of use (U.S. survey): Symptom checks: 55% · Asking questions at any time: 52% · Understanding medical terms or instructions: 48% · Exploring treatment options: 44% (1,042 U.S. adults who used AI for health management in the past 3 months)
The Institute’s interpretation - What changes when the clinic is closed?
The report was produced by ChatGPT’s operator, which also commissioned the survey. The data focus on the U.S. and may not reflect Korea; applying them to hospitals is the Institute’s interpretation.
A domestic survey also found that 48.9% of respondents had consulted generative AI about a health concern. We did not find domestic data on when people use it, but making public information available for AI to read outside clinic hours is a basic part of hospital GEO.
Patients may ask AI questions even after a hospital closes. Hospitals should prepare information that patients can access during those hours.
- Questions do not follow clinic hours.The report defines a 9-hour clinic day, leaving more time outside it. We cannot conclude that questions peak at night, but we can see that a substantial share of health questions come outside clinic hours.
- During those hours, patients rely on public information. When phone consultations are unavailable, written guidance can help patients make decisions. If care information is missing, AI answers may omit or misstate information about the hospital.
- Symptom checks are one of the main reasons people use AI. AI answers cannot replace care from clinicians. Hospitals should provide clinician-reviewed information on when to seek care and where to contact in an urgent situation.
Can patients find information after the hospital closes?
- Can patients find the next appointment date and booking instructions on the website?
- Are clinic hours, closure dates, and urgent contact instructions current?
- Does symptom guidance indicate whether it has been reviewed by a clinician?
Questions repeated in consultations the next morning may point to information patients could not find the night before. Collecting those questions can show what the website should address first.
Sources
OpenAI, “AI as a Healthcare Ally” (January 2026; self-published)
Original report: OpenAI report PDF
Related coverage: Medical Economics · Managed Healthcare Executive
Korea Press Foundation <미디어 서베이> 2026 Issue 1: Foundation materials · 기자협회보 · Yonhap News Agency (2026.4.15)