By Dr
Ashna Gupta
In the swiftly advancing digital era, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) are exerting an unprecedented influence, reshaping the global landscape across diverse industries. The profound impact of AI permeates every sector, leaving virtually no field untouched by its revolutionary imprint. Over the past two years, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has catapulted nearly every facet of the healthcare industry into a new epoch of care delivery. Faced with a crisis, the healthcare sector has been compelled to swiftly devise innovative ways to provide quality care to patients, prompting a widespread shift towards digital solutions, predominantly in the form of telehealth services.
The rise of digital mental healthcare has coincided with the integration of a technology that has long remained somewhat elusive in the medical space- Artificial Intelligence. While tools like chatbots and virtual assistants have been considered entry points into AI for years, recent groundbreaking advancements have prompted organisations in the healthcare industry to turn to AI to potentially broaden access to and availability of mental health services. Moreover, AI-powered mental health platforms play a pivotal role in enhancing accessibility and extending resources to individuals in remote areas or with limited resources, thereby widening the reach across diverse demographics. However, despite being an undeniable powerhouse, AI falls short in critical aspects compared to human therapists and counsellors. The deficit primarily lies in emotional understanding, a domain where AI lacks genuine empathy, interpretation of non-verbal cues and the provision of deeply personalised and meaningful emotional support- qualities inherent to human therapists. Mental health issues are intricate and very individual-oriented, and demand tailored approaches that consider a person’s unique history, circumstances, and emotions, surpassing the capabilities of AI’s standardised care.
AI should be viewed not as a replacement but as a complementary tool for human therapists. Its role is a supportive one that can aid therapists by offering information, educational resources, and basic coping strategies. This assistance enables therapists to devote more time to the personalised and human-centric dimensions of their work.
At its core, AI holds the potential to provide personalised assistance to each client by facilitating their collaboration with the right therapist from the outset. In the search for support, AI can enhance understanding of clients’ needs by dynamically adjusting subsequent questions based on their responses, helping them find the most suitable mental health support. Traditionally, therapists have operated somewhat independently in their interactions with clients, even post-training. However, the emergence of AI tools now allows for sessions to be analysed, providing therapists with valuable feedback on aspects such as talk time and intervention. While replacing a therapist with AI is far from reality, the promise lies in augmenting the irreplaceable human connection that psychologists provide. The future of mental health support is likely to unfold through a collaborative approach, where AI and human therapists work hand in hand to offer the best possible care to those in need. As we navigate this exciting frontier, it is essential to remember that AI should be a companion, not a replacement, in the intricate and deeply personal domain of mental healthcare.
Dr Ashna Gupta, Senior Psychologist, MediBuddy vHealth
(DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETHealthworld.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETHealthworld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly).
