Psychiatrists’ Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence: Tasks, Job Security and Benefits (Preprint)

Abstract

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Researchers have predicted that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will affect job security for physicians in the future, including in the mental health industry. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The objective of this study is to assess local psychiatrists’ opinions regarding the future impact of AI/ML on their daily 10 key practice tasks in addition to determine the benefits and drawbacks of AI/ML. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> The design was cross-sectional and included psychiatrists (n = 62) registered in Bahrain, who participated via a Google survey. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Out of 52 eligible participants, there were 43 survey respondents (81.3%). Only 9.3% of respondents felt it was likely that AI/ML will replace average physicians in providing empathetic care. Physicians speculated that AI/ML is likely to replace average physicians in tasks such as establishing prognosis (67%), synthesizing information to reach diagnosis (72.1%) and obtaining medical/psychiatric histories (51.2%); however, they were uncertain regarding other tasks, such as performing medical and mental status examinations (74.4%) and providing empathetic care (81.4%). The main benefits of AI/ML were perceived to be facilitating a quicker diagnosis (69.8%) and replacing the physician role (76.7%). The study findings were not related to age group, gender, seniority or level of AI/ML knowledge. </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> This is the first local study to evaluate the attitudes of psychiatrists toward the effects of AI/ML on the future of psychiatry. Our findings provide useful data on the impact of AI/ML on job security as well as its benefits. Most participants were worried about the possibility of machines replacing human skills and practices and acknowledged both the advantages and challenges. </sec>

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