Research grounded in how healthcare actually works

Explore original research drawing on data, insights, and unique perspectives from a network of 173K clinicians1 to help reveal what’s shaping healthcare – and where evolution is possible.
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AI can surface the relevant pieces so the human can do the critical thinking.Clinician (anonymous)
It catches the things that I miss so we have two minds on the same problem.Clinician (anonymous)
It's really difficult to find what you're looking for and to know which documents are actually helpful.NP (anonymous)
Affordable Care Is the Top Policy PriorityHealthcare policy
52

% of physicians cite access to affordable healthcare as their #1 policy priority — up from 44% in 2025 and 38% in 2024 (a 14-point surge in two years)

Affordable Care Takes the Top SpotHealthcare policy
#1

Access to affordable healthcare overtook minimizing excessive documentation as the top physician policy issue for the first time

Documentation Still Tops the ListPractice efficiency
46

% of physicians cite minimizing excessive documentation requirements as a top policy priority (down from 49% in 2024)

Rural Physicians Prioritize AffordabilityRural health
63

% of rural physicians cite access to affordable healthcare as a top policy priority vs. 51% of urban/suburban physicians

Discover new signals

Data points around the full ecosystem of care – from appointments and orders to claims, visit volumes, and referrals – constantly flow through our connected network. The athenaInstitute uncovers the patterns rising to the forefront of ambulatory care, giving network datapoints the context that makes it worth acting on. Find what’s shifting across the system, how fast, and what it means for the work in front of you.

See how AI is shaping healthcare

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2026 Physician Sentiment Survey

We asked more than 1,000 physicians to share their feelings on the most important topics facing healthcare today: access to care, interoperability, burnout, independent practice health, value-based care, and more.
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Don’t miss a signal

The latest on care coordination and interoperability

EHR Connectivity Remains DifficultInterop
73

% of physicians report difficulty sending and receiving information across different EHR platforms (down from 79% in 2024)

Connectivity Can Improve OutcomesInterop
92

% of physicians say stronger connectivity would improve patient outcomes — consistent for 3 consecutive years

Secure, connected healthcare data is a prerequisite for AI models to be able to deliver the kinds of insights and efficiencies that will augment care.
Nele Jessel, MD
Chief Medical Officer

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Source

1 Based on athenahealth data as of Sept. 2026; M010