Waiting lists, it's a record all over the world

Long waiting lists for access to healthcare are not an Italian exclusive. This is confirmed by the Future Health Index 2025 by Philips, the largest global study in the sector, which involved approximately 2,000 healthcare professionals and 16,000 patients in 16 countries. The picture that emerges is clear: all over the world, healthcare systems are under pressure, and patients are paying the highest price.

According to the report, in more than half of the countries analyzed, patients wait an average of nearly two months for a specialist appointment. In Canada and Spain, waiting times can exceed four months. The global average wait is 70 days, with peaks of 131 days in Brazil, 128 in Spain, and 109 in Germany. Even in countries with advanced health systems such as the United Kingdom and the United States, waiting times are 59 and 51 days, respectively.

These waits aren’t just annoying; they’re dangerous. Thirty-three percent of patients said their condition worsened because of the delays, and more than 1 in 4 ended up in the hospital because they didn’t receive treatment in time. Cardiac patients, in particular, are among the hardest hit, waiting 20 percent longer on average than other patients and reporting higher rates of clinical deterioration.

But it’s not just patients who are suffering. Healthcare professionals are reporting growing administrative burdens and inefficiencies in managing clinical data. Seventy-seven percent say they waste valuable time with incomplete or inaccessible information, with a third losing more than 45 minutes per shift. That translates to four work weeks a year taken away from direct patient care.

In this critical scenario, artificial intelligence (AI) presents itself as a strategic resource, which can automate repetitive tasks, improve diagnosis, reduce waiting times and lighten the workload. 78% of professionals believe that AI can increase assistance capacity, while 76% expect a reduction in waiting times. Furthermore, AI can support less experienced staff, improving access to care even in disadvantaged areas.