What You Need to Know About OpenEvidence: The “ChatGPT” for Physicians

It’s real. It’s been funded. And it’s the new AI for doctors.

What is it? It’s OpenEvidence, an AI-powered research assistant that’s aiming to change how doctors access, digest, and apply medical literature.

And here’s the wild part. In July 2025, the company raised a whopping $210 million in funding, pushing its valuation to $3.5 billion. That kind of attention usually means one of two things: hype… or real potential. Is it another exciting addition to the world of Artificial Intelligence, or something that we should be worried about?

Let’s talk about why this actually matters for you. Whether you’re in the OR, the clinic, or just trying to keep up with the ever-expanding mountain of research.

Disclaimer: While these are general suggestions, it’s important to conduct thorough research and due diligence when selecting AI tools. We do not endorse or promote any specific AI tools mentioned here. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, financial, or clinical advice. Always comply with HIPAA and institutional policies. For any decisions that impact patient care or finances, consult a qualified professional.

What is OpenEvidence?

At its core, OpenEvidence is like ChatGPT built specifically for medicine, but it’s not just another chatbot.

This platform is tailored to help physicians answer real-time clinical questions using peer-reviewed evidence and structured summaries. Instead of scraping the web or regurgitating Wikipedia, it pulls directly from reputable journals, including full access to content from JAMA, JAMA Network Open, and 11 other specialty journals through a multi-year deal with the JAMA Network.

OpenEvidence DeepConsult™ is offered free for verified U.S. clinicians. And according to the company, it’s already being used in 10,000+ hospitals and medical centers, with more than 40% of U.S. physicians logging in daily.

4 Reasons You Might Actually Want to Pay Attention

1. We’re drowning in data

Medical knowledge is doubling faster than ever. New studies, guidelines, trials… It’s nonstop. Staying current on all of it? Nearly impossible with a full clinical load. OpenEvidence aims to sift through the noise and give you only the most relevant, summarized, and visually structured answers, fast.

2. It’s designed for point-of-care speed

You’ve got 10 minutes with a complex patient, and you’re trying to figure out whether a specific guideline applies, or if there’s a new contraindication to a med. Instead of hunting through UpToDate or PubMed, OpenEvidence claims to deliver clinically actionable answers in seconds.

3. No paywall. Premium sources.

Thanks to partnerships like JAMA’s, it’s pulling from content you might normally need a university login to access. If you work at a smaller hospital or clinic without deep library access, this could be a major unlock.

4. It’s scaling fast

With adoption growing, OpenEvidence isn’t just a “nice-to-know.” It may soon be something your residents, colleagues, or even patients reference. And with large-scale adoption comes influence, early users often help shape the tool itself.

But Hey — It’s Not Perfect.

Like any new tech in medicine, OpenEvidence has a few caveats worth watching:

• The stats are self-reported. Usage claims (like that 40% physician figure) come from press releases, not independent audits.
• It’s not fully transparent about revenue. Some outlets say OpenEvidence makes money “like Google” through ads (Digital Health Wire), but there’s no formal breakdown of how sustainable that model is. Expect monetization strategies to shift over time.
• Yes, hallucination is still possible. Even with high-quality inputs, AI can misread, oversimplify, or miss nuances. The platform is a tool, not a replacement for your clinical judgment.
• Regulations haven’t caught up. Who’s liable if AI nudges you toward a choice that leads to harm? We don’t fully know yet.
• It’s U.S.-centric for now. If you practice internationally, its current recommendations may not reflect your region’s guidelines or realities.

So what should you do with this?

If you’re curious (and you probably should be), here’s a smart, physician-minded approach to trying OpenEvidence:

• Use it as a supplement, not a shortcut. AI can enhance your decision-making, but it’s not the end of clinical reasoning.
• Test it on your turf. If you’re comfortable with the idea, try experimenting with it. Compare its answers to UpToDate or your usual sources.
• Dig into the citations. Don’t blindly trust the summary. Check what the tool links to and how it interprets the data.
• Give feedback. As with any AI, the tool gets better when clinicians point out gaps or request better filtering.
• Watch the standards. Keep an eye on how hospitals, boards, and regulators start to formally evaluate or approve AI in clinical settings.

Final Thoughts

Tools like OpenEvidence aren’t a “maybe someday” thing. They’re here. They’re growing. And they’re increasingly part of the daily workflow for thousands of physicians.

The better you understand how to use them (and how to spot their limitations), the more likely you are to stay ahead, rather than play catch-up.

So if you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly behind on research, stuck navigating paywalls, or simply tired of skimming five papers just to make one confident choice… it might be time to give this a spin.

It could become as normal as checking your EHR. Just way faster? Let me know your thoughts!

If you want to learn more about AI and other cool AI tools, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter! We also have a free AI resource page where we share the latest tips, tricks, and news to help you make the most of technology.

To go deeper, check out PIMDCON 2025 — The Physician Real Estate & Entrepreneurship Conference. You’ll gain real-world strategies from doctors who are successfully integrating AI and business for massive results.

See you again next time! As always, make it happen.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on available public data and may not be entirely accurate or up-to-date. It’s recommended to contact the respective companies/individuals for detailed information on features, pricing, and availability. This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, financial, or clinical advice. Always comply with HIPAA and institutional policies. For any decisions that impact patient care or finances, consult a qualified professional.

IF YOU WANT MORE CONTENT LIKE THIS, MAKE SURE YOU SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER TO GET UPDATES ON THE LATEST TRENDS FOR AI, TECH, AND SO MUCH MORE.

Peter Kim, MD is the founder of Passive Income MD, the creator of Passive Real Estate Academy, and offers weekly education through his Monday podcast, the Passive Income MD Podcast. Join our community at the Passive Income Doc Facebook Group.

Further Reading