⚡ Quick Summary
A recent study explored patient perspectives on artificial intelligence (AI) in mental health care, revealing that 49.3% of participants believe AI could be beneficial. However, concerns about accuracy and confidentiality were prevalent, highlighting the need for careful implementation of AI technologies in this sensitive field.
🔍 Key Details
- 📊 Sample Size: 500 US-based adults
- 🧩 Focus: Patient perceptions of AI in mental health care
- ⚙️ Methodology: Cross-sectional survey
- 🏆 Key Findings: 49.3% found AI beneficial; concerns about accuracy and confidentiality
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 📈 Majority of participants (80.4%) valued understanding individual risk factors and maintaining confidentiality.
- 👥 Sociodemographic differences influenced perceptions of AI’s benefits, with Black participants and those with lower health literacy viewing it more favorably.
- 🤔 Concerns raised included potential misdiagnosis and loss of connection with health professionals.
- 🔍 81.6% of participants believed health professionals should be accountable for AI-related misdiagnoses.
- 💬 Qualitative feedback
- 🔄 Future research should focus on improving communication about AI’s accuracy and data confidentiality.
- 🤝 Preserving the patient-health professional relationship is crucial when integrating AI into mental health care.
📚 Background
The integration of artificial intelligence into health care is rapidly evolving, yet the focus has primarily been on the perspectives of health professionals. There is a significant gap in understanding how patients perceive AI, particularly in the context of mental health care. This study aims to bridge that gap by gathering insights directly from patients about their views on AI’s potential benefits and concerns.
🗒️ Study
Conducted as a cross-sectional survey, this study involved a nationally representative sample of 500 adults in the United States. Participants were asked structured questions regarding their perceptions of AI in mental health care, including perceived benefits, concerns, comfort levels, and values. They were also encouraged to provide free-text responses to elaborate on their thoughts.
📈 Results
The findings revealed that 49.3% of participants believed AI could be beneficial for mental health care. Notably, Black participants and those with lower health literacy were more likely to view AI positively. However, significant concerns were raised regarding the accuracy of AI systems, the risk of misdiagnosis, and the potential erosion of the patient-health professional relationship. A substantial majority (80.4%) emphasized the importance of understanding their individual risk factors and maintaining confidentiality.
🌍 Impact and Implications
The insights from this study underscore the importance of addressing patient concerns as AI technologies are integrated into mental health care. By focusing on transparency regarding AI’s accuracy and ensuring that patient confidentiality is upheld, health professionals can foster trust and enhance the therapeutic relationship. This research highlights the need for ongoing dialogue between patients and providers to navigate the complexities of AI in mental health settings.
🔮 Conclusion
This study sheds light on the critical perspectives of patients regarding AI in mental health care. While there is optimism about the potential benefits of AI, it is essential to address the accompanying concerns to ensure that these technologies enhance rather than hinder patient care. Future research should prioritize strategies that promote understanding and trust in AI applications within mental health care.
💬 Your comments
What are your thoughts on the integration of AI in mental health care? Do you see it as a beneficial tool or a potential risk? 💬 Share your insights in the comments below or connect with us on social media:
Patient Perspectives on AI for Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The application of artificial intelligence (AI) to health and health care is rapidly increasing. Several studies have assessed the attitudes of health professionals, but far fewer studies have explored the perspectives of patients or the general public. Studies investigating patient perspectives have focused on somatic issues, including those related to radiology, perinatal health, and general applications. Patient feedback has been elicited in the development of specific mental health care solutions, but broader perspectives toward AI for mental health care have been underexplored.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand public perceptions regarding potential benefits of AI, concerns about AI, comfort with AI accomplishing various tasks, and values related to AI, all pertaining to mental health care.
METHODS: We conducted a 1-time cross-sectional survey with a nationally representative sample of 500 US-based adults. Participants provided structured responses on their perceived benefits, concerns, comfort, and values regarding AI for mental health care. They could also add free-text responses to elaborate on their concerns and values.
RESULTS: A plurality of participants (245/497, 49.3%) believed AI may be beneficial for mental health care, but this perspective differed based on sociodemographic variables (all P<.05). Specifically, Black participants (odds ratio [OR] 1.76, 95% CI 1.03-3.05) and those with lower health literacy (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.29-3.78) perceived AI to be more beneficial, and women (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46-0.99) perceived AI to be less beneficial. Participants endorsed concerns about accuracy, possible unintended consequences such as misdiagnosis, the confidentiality of their information, and the loss of connection with their health professional when AI is used for mental health care. A majority of participants (80.4%, 402/500) valued being able to understand individual factors driving their risk, confidentiality, and autonomy as it pertained to the use of AI for their mental health. When asked who was responsible for the misdiagnosis of mental health conditions using AI, 81.6% (408/500) of participants found the health professional to be responsible. Qualitative results revealed similar concerns related to the accuracy of AI and how its use may impact the confidentiality of patients' information.
CONCLUSIONS: Future work involving the use of AI for mental health care should investigate strategies for conveying the level of AI's accuracy, factors that drive patients' mental health risks, and how data are used confidentially so that patients can determine with their health professionals when AI may be beneficial. It will also be important in a mental health care context to ensure the patient-health professional relationship is preserved when AI is used.
Author: [‘Benda N’, ‘Desai P’, ‘Reza Z’, ‘Zheng A’, ‘Kumar S’, ‘Harkins S’, ‘Hermann A’, ‘Zhang Y’, ‘Joly R’, ‘Kim J’, ‘Pathak J’, ‘Reading Turchioe M’]
Journal: JMIR Ment Health
Citation: Benda N, et al. Patient Perspectives on AI for Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Survey Study. Patient Perspectives on AI for Mental Health Care: Cross-Sectional Survey Study. 2024; 11:e58462. doi: 10.2196/58462