It’s no secret: healthcare costs in Switzerland are skyrocketing. With annual expenses estimated at nearly 100 billion Swiss francs according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), finding an effective solution has become urgent.
Faced with this situation, the Swiss population is showing growing interest in digital platforms and new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). A study we conducted with Farner and MIS Trend reveals that 60% of Swiss people see these technologies as an opportunity to sustainably control healthcare system costs. Discover why in this article.
Switzerland facing healthcare costs: what are the expectations?
In a system where insurance premiums absorb up to 14% of low-income households’ earnings, Swiss citizens are looking for solutions. They are also asking for personalized medicine, shorter waiting times, and streamlined administrative processes to improve the quality and efficiency of the system, with costs that could reach 100 billion CHF by 2025 (sources: FSO, OECD).
Our study, carried out in collaboration with Farner and MIS Trend, reveals that 60% of respondents believe digital platforms could reduce these expenses.
Artificial intelligence: an effective solution to reduce healthcare costs?
Artificial intelligence is sparking interest among the Swiss surveyed. Beyond reducing healthcare costs, AI—and digitalization more broadly—should bring several improvements to medicine. Respondents notably mentioned:
- Improving the digitalization of health data
- Verifying a diagnosis (second opinion)
- Establishing a diagnosis faster and more accurately
- Developing telemedicine
- Automatically triaging medical emergencies
- Offering more effective and better-adapted treatments
- Enhancing safety during surgical operations
These figures clearly show a collective awareness of the positive impact that digitalization and AI can have on the Swiss healthcare system, particularly regarding cost reduction.
AI in practice: concrete examples of use in healthcare
The benefits of AI in the medical field are numerous and tangible. In our article on AI in medicine, we discussed how AI can assist in diagnosis and lighten the workload of medical staff.
However, it’s crucial to remember that AI will not replace healthcare professionals. Only 2% of Swiss respondents would fully trust a diagnosis made purely by AI, underlining the essential and irreplaceable role of physicians. AI must therefore be seen as a support tool in medicine, not as a substitute.
Beyond AI: other digital solutions to simplify healthcare in Switzerland
Telemedicine: a tool to make healthcare more accessible
Telemedicine represents a major advancement for healthcare professionals:
- Better management of medical time
- Better patient follow-up
For patients, it guarantees:
- Increased accessibility, especially for rural or mobility-impaired populations
- Fewer trips, thus lower associated costs
Digitalization and management of medical schedules: concrete daily savings
Digitalization of medical scheduling, like the service offered by OneDoc, generates immediate and measurable savings:
- Optimization of appointment booking with 24/7 availability
- Reduction of losses due to no-shows
- Considerable administrative time savings, allowing professionals to focus on care
- Fewer administrative errors thanks to the centralization of data in your medical agenda
Digitalization and centralization of medical data
Digitalization of health data, notably through the electronic patient record, not only saves time but also:
- Reduces costs for patients (fewer duplicate tests)
- Improves administrative management
- Increases security
Digitalization: an essential strategy for a sustainable future of Switzerland’s healthcare system
Faced with the major economic challenges posed by the continuous rise in healthcare costs in Switzerland, investing in digital platforms and artificial intelligence appears to be an effective and sustainable solution. These technologies promise not only significant savings but also tangible improvements in daily medical practices. If you would like to learn more, feel free to contact our team of digital experts to support you!
Study methodology
This survey was conducted online by OneDoc, Farner, and MIS Trend in March 2025, among a representative sample of 1,124 Swiss residents aged 18 and over (396 in French-speaking Switzerland, 434 in German-speaking Switzerland, and 294 in Ticino). The maximum margin of error is ±2.9% nationwide. The data were weighted to ensure regional and linguistic representativeness.
Discover all the findings from our study in our press release (DE)!