Survey2026-08-21
A survey of 285 dental, medical, optometry and veterinary practices by the patient engagement vendor Weave reports that about two-thirds faced staffing shortages in the past year, with roughly one in four now seeing fewer patients as a result. Around four in ten have adopted some AI workflows, while privacy rules covering patient data are the most cited reason others hold back. Most respondents said they have no formal rules governing AI use.
What changed
Prior surveys of small healthcare practices had not quantified how far privacy concerns were holding back AI use alongside staffing gaps.
What it unlocks
Benchmarking a practice's own AI adoption and governance gaps against peers when planning front-desk automation.
- 285 practices surveyed
- 41% have adopted AI workflows
- 60% cite HIPAA/privacy as barrier
- 58% have no AI governance
Sources