AI Aids Early Detection and Treatment of Psychoses
nederland, woensdag, 6 augustus 2025.
Psychiatrist Violet van Dee has demonstrated that artificial intelligence (AI) can effectively contribute to predicting and treating psychoses. Her research, presented at her doctoral defence last month, shows that AI can almost as accurately predict the course and recovery of psychoses as experienced psychiatrists. AI can serve as a second opinion to improve treatment plans, especially in complex cases. According to Van Dee, AI can help to use scarce healthcare resources more efficiently and is likely to become a standard component in psychiatry within the foreseeable future.
AI as a Second Opinion in Psychiatry
Psychiatrist Violet van Dee has shown that artificial intelligence (AI) can effectively contribute to predicting and treating psychoses. Her research, presented at her doctoral defence last month, demonstrates that AI can almost as accurately predict the course and recovery of psychoses as experienced psychiatrists [1]. AI can serve as a second opinion to improve treatment plans, especially in complex cases. According to Van Dee, AI can help to use scarce healthcare resources more efficiently and is likely to become a standard component in psychiatry within the foreseeable future [1].
Improved Prediction and Treatment
Van Dee’s research shows that AI can almost as accurately predict the course and recovery of psychoses as experienced psychiatrists; both are correct in roughly more than half of the cases [1]. AI sometimes performs better in complex cases and can serve as a second opinion to improve treatment plans [1]. According to Van Dee: “If we can better predict whether a specific intervention, such as quitting smoking and drugs, or certain psychotherapy, helps a patient achieve their recovery goal, this can help to use scarce healthcare resources more efficiently” [1].
Key Factors for Recovery
Research indicates that patients value different aspects compared to doctors: participation in society and finding meaning are crucial factors [1]. Van Dee emphasises that it is important for the patient to determine what important outcomes are in the recovery process [1]. AI needs to be trained with more cases to develop better algorithms and increase the transparency of decision-making [1].
Future Perspectives
Van Dee expects that AI will become a standard component in psychiatry within the foreseeable future [1]. Developments are rapid, and it is anticipated that AI will soon improve psychiatric care at St. Antonius [1]. According to Van Dee: “I expect it won’t be long before AI supports us at St. Antonius to further enhance the quality of our psychiatric care” [1].
Need for Further Research
AI needs to be further developed through training with more historical cases [1]. Doctors need to understand how AI conclusions are reached [1]. According to Van Dee: “It is no longer a question of whether AI can help in psychiatry, but when and how” [1].