EPA Survey on Artificial Intelligence In Clinical Psychiatry In Europe

Introduction

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly discussed as a potential component of future mental health care systems. Although rule‑based clinical decision support tools—such as decision or classification trees and early “expert systems”—have existed in psychiatry for decades, recent attention has focused primarily on generative AI, particularly large language models (LLMs) such as GPT‑type systems. These models are frequently deployed through conversational interfaces (e.g., chatbots) and are being explored for applications including clinical documentation support, patient triage, psychoeducation, and clinician decision assistance. Across Europe, however, the use, governance, readiness, and acceptability of these newer forms of AI in clinical psychiatry vary substantially, reflecting differences in health system organisation, legal and regulatory frameworks, digital infrastructure, workforce capacity, and cultural context. The purpose of this survey is not to compare or rank countries, nor to evaluate specific technologies or commercial vendors. Rather, it seeks to capture system‑level perspectives on current experiences, perceived challenges, and strategic priorities related specifically to the introduction of generative AI and LLM‑based tools in clinical psychiatry across Europe. The findings will inform an EPA Guidance document intended to support responsible, equitable, and context‑sensitive implementation, rather than to establish prescriptive standards. Responses should reflect the situation in your country or region from the perspective of a national psychiatric association representative or delegated expert. Where information is unavailable or not applicable, please indicate this accordingly.

Estimated completion time: 15–20 minutes.
Section A – Context and Current State
A1. Country or region represented(Required.)
A2. Level of response(Required.)
The next section will deal with the level of use of generative AI based tools (gAI; such as Chat GPT, Claude, Heidi, Med-PaLM, Ambient AI, etc.) in clinical psychiatric settings.
A3. Are generative AI–based tools currently available for formal clinical use in psychiatry in your country?(Required.)
A4. In your estimation, are generative gAI based tools informally used (i.e., individual level) in your country?(Required.)
A5. Domains in which gAI-based tools are currently both formally and informally used or tested
(Select all that apply)
(Required.)
A6. Are consumer generative gAI based tools officially prohibited for clinical use in your country?(Required.)
A7. Overall national readiness for Generative AI implementation
(Considering training, infrastructure, governance, and workforce capacity)
(Required.)
Section B – Anticipated Opportunities
B1. Clinical or service areas where you believe Generative AI could offer the greatest potential benefit
(Select up to three)
(Required.)
B2. Nature of anticipated benefit
(Select all that apply)
(Required.)
B3. Overall expected impact of AI on psychiatric care(Required.)
1 (No meaningful impact)
2
3
4
5 (Substantial system‑level impact)
Section C – Risks and Ethics
C1. Main concerns regarding AI implementation in clinical psychiatry
(Select the top three concerns, in your opinion)
(Required.)
C2. Regulatory framework for AI in healthcare(Required.)
C3. National guidance on data governance or AI in mental health(Required.)
C4. In your context, which types of AI use raise the greatest ethical or legal concern?(Required.)
Section D – Workforce, Training, and Acceptability
D1. Current level of AI literacy among psychiatrists(Required.)
D2. Formal training on AI is available within:(Required.)
Yes
No
Not applicable
Specialist or residency training
Continuing professional development
D3. Responsibility and authority in AI‑augmented care
How clear are the boundaries of clinical responsibility and decision making authority in your system?
(Required.)
D4. Key workforce‑related concerns
(Select all that apply. For each selected barrier, please indicate its relative importance)
(Required.)
Not a significant barrier
Minor barrier
Moderate barrier
Major barrier
Very significant / critical barrier
Risk of clinician deskilling
Increased medico legal exposure
Responsibility without sufficient control over AI systems
Resistance or mistrust among professionals
No major workforce concerns identified
PATIENTS/CARERS SECTION
D5. Perceived acceptability of AI‑generated insights among patients and families(Required.)
1 (Not acceptable)
2
3
4
5 (Highly acceptable)
Insufficient information to judge
FUTURE ORIENTED QUESTIONS
D6. In the next 5 years, where do you anticipate the most significant change to psychiatric roles due to AI?
Please select all that apply. For each selected area, rate its expected significance using the scale below.
(Required.)
1 = Not significant
2 = Slightly significant
3 = Moderately significant
4 = Highly significant
5 = Critically significant
Interpretation and clinical oversight of AI-generated outputs
Increased emphasis on relational, contextual, and ethical judgement
Redistribution or reduction of administrative workload
Emergence of new roles involving coordination with data, IT, or governance teams
No substantial change anticipated in psychiatric roles
Not sure
D7. Anticipated redistribution of tasks due to AI adoption
In the next five years, in your opinion, which psychiatric tasks are most likely to be partially or fully redistributed due to AI?
(Select all that apply)
(Required.)
D8. Impact of AI on professional identity in psychiatry
In the next 10 years, what level of impact do you expect generative AI to have on the core clinical role of psychiatrists?
(Required.)
D9. Emerging interprofessional dynamics associated with AI
In the next 10 years, which new or expanded collaborative relationships do you anticipate as AI becomes more integrated into psychiatric care?
(Select all that apply)
(Required.)
Section E – Implementation Barriers and Infrastructure
E1. Main barriers to AI integration
Which of the following barriers currently limit the adoption of generative AI (e.g., LLM‑based tools or chatbots) in clinical psychiatry in your country or region?
Please select all that apply. For each selected area, rate its expected significance using the scale below.
(Required.)
1 = Not significant
2 = Slightly significant
3 = Moderately significant
4 = Highly significant
5 = Critically significant
Insufficient clinical evidence
Inadequate digital infrastructure or poor data quality
Legal or regulatory uncertainty
Ethical concerns
Unclear or unsustainable costs
Workforce resistance or skills gaps
Digital exclusion of vulnerable populations
Fragmentation across regions or services
E2. Integration with existing electronic health records(Required.)
Section F – Priorities for EPA Guidance
F1. Priority areas for EPA guidance
(Select up to three)
(Required.)
F2. Additional comments
Please indicate any further concerns, priorities, or contextual factors relevant to AI in clinical psychiatry in your country.
(Required.)