September 18, 2026, 8:24 am | Read time: 4 minutes
When visiting a doctor, people want answers to their health questions. However, this often seems to be lacking: A recent survey shows that many patients leave the consultation room with important issues unresolved. Particularly surprising is which age group is most affected.
Survey on Patient Satisfaction in Medical Practices
In honor of World Patient Safety Day on September 17, the digital health companion “Doctolib” surveyed more than 3,100 people. The results reveal a significant gap between the desire for participation and the reality in everyday practice. Two-thirds of respondents (66 percent) consider it important to have a say in medical decisions. Yet, nearly one-third (29 percent) leave the doctor’s office with at least one unanswered question. More than one-fifth (22 percent) agreed to a treatment recommendation despite having doubts or unresolved issues. This is according to a press release about the survey.
Young Adults Are Particularly Affected
Especially people between the ages of 25 and 34 often leave the doctor’s consultation dissatisfied. Despite thorough preparation, many questions remain unanswered. About one-third of this age group uses AI applications before the appointment, and a similar number research online. Nevertheless, 43 percent report having unanswered questions after the appointment. In contrast, this figure is 24 percent among those over 55.
There are also significant differences in experiences with medical decisions. While 26 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds report that the doctor made the decision alone and merely communicated the result, this applies to only 10 percent of those over 55. Joint decision-making was experienced by 41 percent of the younger respondents, compared to 60 percent of those over 55.
Additionally, nearly 20 percent of young adults feel uncomfortable asking questions during the conversation. Twenty-seven percent also worry about not being taken seriously.
“Being well-informed beforehand does not automatically mean being better involved in decision-making in the treatment room. Young people, in particular, research intensively but often do not voice their questions and uncertainties. Therefore, a conversation culture is needed where patients are explicitly invited to bring up their concerns, doubts, and even their own research. Joint decisions are not made solely through reliable information but primarily through a dialogue on equal footing,” says Prof. Dr. Friedemann Geiger, head of the National Competence Center in Kiel and professor of Shared Decision Making and patient-centered transformation at MSH Medical School Hamburg.
Many Conceal Their Internet or AI Research
The survey confirms the expert’s impression: Many people do not mention the information they gathered beforehand during the doctor’s consultation. More than half (57 percent) of those who researched online or with AI do not disclose this to the healthcare professional.
The most common reason cited by 27 percent of respondents is the fear of appearing know-it-all. Another 21 percent are unsure whether the information they found is reliable. This is particularly noticeable with AI applications: Overall, 17 percent of respondents used an AI tool before the doctor’s appointment. However, only one in ten mentions this research during the conversation.
“This is exactly where we, as a digital health companion, come in: We want to not only inform people but also give them the courage and tools to actively engage with their health and confidently bring their questions into the conversation. With our digital solutions and AI, we also create space for practice teams, so that there is room for a genuine dialogue on equal footing during consultations,” says Dr. med. Katharina Schweidtmann, medical expert at “Doctolib.”
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Women Hold Back Questions More Often
Differences also emerge between genders. Thirty-three percent of women surveyed leave the practice with unanswered questions, compared to 20 percent of men. The concern of not being taken seriously with their concerns is also more pronounced among women. Twenty-four percent say they held back questions for this reason, compared to 10 percent of men.
What Patients Want in Doctor Consultations
Many respondents see great potential in small changes. Forty-one percent wish that doctors actively ask at the end of the conversation if there are any remaining questions. Among 25- to 34-year-olds, this desire is even more than 50 percent.
Additionally, 28 percent of respondents want more time for the conversation with the doctor.