New global findings show cardiac care professionals are optimistic about AI’s potential to save time and improve diagnoses, while patients remain cautious.
A new report from Royal Philips finds that while cardiac care professionals see significant potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to alleviate workflow inefficiencies, a trust gap with patients could hinder its adoption. The findings, detailed in the Future Health Index 2025: Cardiology Snapshot, highlight operational challenges in cardiac care and how technology is viewed as a potential solution.
According to the report, inefficiencies are a major drain on clinical time. Nearly 80% of cardiac care professionals say they lose time due to incomplete or inaccessible patient data, with almost half of them losing more than 45 minutes per shift. These delays have patient-side consequences, as nine in 10 cardiac patients report delays in seeing a specialist, and one in three say their condition worsened while waiting.
Despite these challenges, clinicians are hopeful about technology’s role. More than four in five providers believe AI can help automate repetitive tasks, extend clinical capacity, and support earlier diagnoses. Furthermore, 79% believe AI could help reduce the long-term burden of cardiovascular disease.
“I believe that the future of healthcare depends on AI-enabled solutions that empower healthcare professionals and patients in ways that are secure, transparent, equitable, and responsible,” says Sanjay Gandhi, MD, chief medical officer, Philips Enterprise Informatics, in a release.
Bridging the Trust Gap with Patients
While clinicians express optimism, the report shows patients are more hesitant. Only 56% of cardiac patients say they are optimistic that AI could improve healthcare, with a primary concern being that care could become less personal. The survey suggests that patient comfort with AI could increase if doctors and nurses clearly explained its use and benefits.
For healthcare professionals, building trust in AI systems hinges on establishing clear operational and legal guardrails. More than one-third of cardiac care professionals called for greater clarity around legal liability and assurances that AI systems are monitored and transparent.
To move forward, the report outlines several key actions, including streamlining data access to reduce administrative burden, using AI to automate routine tasks, and leveraging predictive analytics for earlier interventions. It also emphasizes the need to involve both clinicians and patients in the deployment of AI and to ensure system transparency to build long-term confidence.
