AI in psychiatry: Perspectives of patients from Southeast Europe on ChatGPT

Goran Arbanas; Jelena Sušac; Ante Periša; Mirela Badurina; Ivan Biliškov; Dahna Arbanas

doi:10.19090/pp.v18i3.2572

Authors

Goran Arbanas University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2770-0942
Jelena Sušac University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia
Ante Periša University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Zagreb, Croatia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4899-5046
Mirela Badurina BHIDAPA, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ivan Biliškov Codeasy, Split, Croatia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0940-7500
Dahna Arbanas Karlovac Pharmacies, Croatia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19090/pp.v18i3.2572

Keywords:

artificial intelligence, ChatGPT, mental disorder, personal experience

Abstract

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare presents new possibilities and challenges. Large Language Models have shown potential in various psychiatric applications. However, the perspectives of patients with mental disorders on the use of such technologies remain underexplored. The present study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of patients with diagnosable mental disorders regarding the advantages and drawbacks of using ChatGPT for acquiring information about their conditions and medications. The data were collected at major psychiatric centres in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout October 2023. The sample consisted of 89 outpatients. The procedure involved inviting outpatients to participate in a questionnaire-based study that assessed their internet access, prior use of ChatGPT, and, after using ChatGPT to inquire about their mental health conditions and medications, their experiences interacting with ChatGPT. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression. The study found that 47.2% of the participants had used ChatGPT before. The main advantages noted were ChatGPT’s availability and immediate response capability. However, significant drawbacks included the lack of personal contact and the generality of the responses. Participants expressed concerns about the quality and specificity of information regarding their medical conditions. While ChatGPT offers notable advantages such as accessibility and promptness, the lack of emotional engagement and the sometimes vague nature of its responses limit its effectiveness from the patients' perspective. These findings suggest a need for enhancements in AI technologies to better address the unique needs and preferences of psychiatric patients.

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