Psychiatrists' experiences and opinions of generative AI: An exploratory online mixed methods survey in Germany.

BACKGROUND

Generative artificial intelligence is increasingly discussed as a tool to support psychiatric practice, particularly by improving clinical workflows. Despite growing interest, little is known about how psychiatrists use genAI and how they assess its usefulness, especially within the German healthcare system.

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the experiences and attitudes of psychiatrists in a Germany-wide convenience sample, with initial recruitment focused on Berlin and Brandenburg.

METHODS

An online mixed methods survey was conducted between September 19, 2024 and March 14, 2025. Psychiatrists working in public psychiatric hospitals, outpatient practices, and members of the German Association for Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neurology were invited. Of 11,754 contacted psychiatrists, 126 completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 1.07 percent. The survey assessed sociodemographic characteristics, prior genAI experience, perceived effects on clinical work, and use cases such as documentation, diagnostics, and communication. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and qualitative responses using summarizing content analysis.

RESULTS

Slightly more than half of respondents, 52.0 percent, reported using genAI chatbots, most commonly ChatGPT. GenAI was primarily used for administrative tasks, especially writing medical letters and accessing medication information. Many participants reported potential benefits in reducing bureaucratic workload and improving documentation efficiency. At the same time, skepticism regarding clinical usefulness was common. Respondents highlighted clear limitations in diagnostic and therapeutic decision making and emphasized the need for targeted training. Language support was identified as a key advantage, particularly for non native German speakers. The limited sample size restricts generalizability.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychiatrists expressed cautious optimism toward genAI, mainly for administrative support, while raising concerns about diagnostic use and insufficient training. These findings underline the need for evidence based integration of genAI in psychiatry, particularly in light of the EU AI Act.