According to Alchemer’s 2026 Healthcare Patient Experience Report, 98% of patients say giving feedback is easy. And among patients who didn’t share any, the single most common reason isn’t apathy or hassle. It’s that 50.8% were never asked. The willingness is there. The invitation isn’t.
TL;DR: key takeaways
- 98% of patients say giving feedback is easy, per Alchemer’s 2026 Healthcare Patient Experience Report.
- 57% shared feedback in the last 12 months, strong participation when patients are prompted.
- Among non-responders, 50.8% say they were simply never asked.
- Only 10.3% said they didn’t think it would matter, so patient confidence is higher than most providers assume.
- The easiest experience win in the entire report: just ask more consistently.
Do patients actually want to give feedback?
Yes, and they find it easy to do. Per Alchemer’s 2026 Healthcare Patient Experience Report, 98% of patients say providing feedback is easy and 57% did so in the past year. This isn’t a reluctant audience. When patients are asked, they answer. That makes the participation problem a sending problem, not a willingness problem.
Why don’t some patients give feedback?
Here’s what non-responders actually say, from the report. The reasons aren’t what the apathy narrative predicts.
| Reason for not giving feedback | % of non-responders |
|---|---|
| Was never asked | 50.8% |
| Had nothing to share | 20.6% |
| Too time-consuming or complicated | ~16% |
| Didn’t think it would matter | 10.3% |
Half of non-responders weren’t avoiding feedback. They were never invited to give it. And the most cynical-sounding reason, “I didn’t think it would matter,” is the smallest slice at just 10.3%. Patient confidence in the system is higher than most providers assume.
Isn’t survey fatigue the real problem?
It’s a real concern, but the data says it’s overstated as the primary blocker. Only about 16% of non-responders cite time or complexity, and just 10.3% doubt feedback matters. The dominant blocker, by a wide margin, is the absence of an ask. Fatigue comes from too many bad surveys, not from being asked at all. The fix isn’t fewer requests; it’s well-timed, relevant ones that respect the patient’s time.
If you’re not asking, you’re guessing. Alchemer makes it easy to ask patients for feedback at the moments that matter, across email, portal, mobile and in-person, so the willing 98% actually get the chance. Explore Alchemer for Healthcare →
What should providers do about it?
Start asking, consistently and in the moments that matter. The single biggest lever in this report costs almost nothing: close the “never asked” gap. Add a prompt after the visit, in the portal, on the way out the door. Match the channel to the patient. The willingness is already there. Every patient you don’t ask is insight you’re leaving on the table, and a relationship you’re not deepening.
Want the full report? Read the complete 2026 Healthcare Patient Experience Report for full participation data, channel preferences by age and gender, and the five moments where listening turns into loyalty.
Methodology: Alchemer’s Research Solutions team surveyed 866 patients (54% female, 45% male, all age bands represented) and analyzed 763 online reviews across Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and HCA Healthcare, sourced from Google between April 2025 and April 2026.
FAQ
Q: Do patients find it hard to give feedback?
A: No. 98% of patients say giving feedback is easy, according to Alchemer’s 2026 Healthcare Patient Experience Report.
Q: Why don’t patients give feedback?
A: The top reason is simply not being asked (50.8% of non-responders). Only 10.3% said they didn’t think it would matter.
Q: Is survey fatigue the main reason for low response?
A: No. Only about 16% cite time or complexity. The dominant blocker is the absence of an ask, not fatigue.
Q: What’s the easiest way to improve patient feedback participation?
A: Ask more consistently and in the moments that matter. The willingness is already there for the vast majority of patients.