AI-Powered Mental Health Support for Physicians in Training

Overseen By Barbara Hollander, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Severe anxiety, Severe depression, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an AI-powered tool designed to support mental health wellness among physicians in training. The goal is to assess how well this tool alleviates symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants will engage with the tool through private sessions on a web browser, totaling four sessions over three months. Physicians in training, such as Internal Medicine residents and Gastroenterology fellows at Cedars-Sinai who are not currently receiving treatment for severe anxiety or depression, may be suitable candidates for the trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative mental health solutions tailored to their profession.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It might be best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this AI-powered mental health support tool is safe for physicians in training?

Past studies have examined AI tools for mental health to aid in diagnosis and treatment. These tools are safe, as they do not involve medication or physical procedures. Research has shown that many doctors find AI tools helpful, with 68% noting benefits in healthcare settings. This suggests that doctors are comfortable with AI's role in mental health support. Overall, AI-based tools are non-invasive, meaning they do not physically enter the body, which generally makes them easy to tolerate. No reports of negative effects have emerged from using these AI mental health tools, making them a promising option for supporting mental wellness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support mental health in a unique way. Unlike traditional therapy sessions that require in-person meetings or video calls with a therapist, this AI-powered support is accessible through a web browser, offering flexibility and privacy for physicians in training. This method could provide around-the-clock mental health guidance, making it a convenient option for busy schedules. Additionally, the use of AI means the support can be personalized and adaptive, potentially offering insights and coping strategies tailored to the individual's needs.

What evidence suggests that this AI-powered mental health support is effective for depression and anxiety?

Research has shown that AI tools can assist in mental healthcare by aiding diagnosis and treatment. One study found that 84% of doctors believed AI improved communication with patients. Another study revealed that mental health professionals rated AI's positive effect between 3.48 and 3.75 out of 5. Primary care doctors also find AI helpful for quickly gathering large amounts of patient information. These findings suggest that AI tools could effectively support mental health, including helping doctors manage stress and anxiety. In this trial, physicians in training will participate in AI-powered mental health support sessions through a web browser, ensuring privacy in their interactions. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kavya Reddy, MD

Principal Investigator

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for physicians in training, such as Internal Medicine residents and Gastroenterology fellows, who are seeking support for mental health wellness. Participants should be willing to use an AI-powered tool via a web browser and complete surveys assessing depression and anxiety before and after the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria

Training physicians in Internal Medicine residency and Gastroenterology fellowship at Cedars Sinai

I am a Cedars-Sinai employee who speaks English.

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

Non-English speakers

I am currently being treated for severe anxiety or depression.

I am not willing or able to participate in the study.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants complete four AI powered mental health support sessions over a four-week period

4 weeks

4 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in mental health scores and interest in additional sessions

8 weeks

1 questionnaire (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Utilization of artificial intelligence powered mental health support session through a web browser

Trial Overview The study tests an artificial intelligence powered mental health support tool used through a web browser. It aims to help with symptoms of depression and anxiety among doctors in training. The effectiveness will be measured using standardized questionnaires before and after at least 4 sessions over 3 months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: physicians in training will enroll with maintained privacy into just the study group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be able to engage in artificial intelligence powered mental health support session through a web browser in private sessions

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

523

Recruited

165,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8349367/

Artificial Intelligence for Mental Healthcare: Clinical ... It provides an overview of AI approaches in mental healthcare, seeking to help with clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.

2. bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-024-02417-1

Primary care physicians' perceptions of artificial intelligence ... PCPs perceived that AI systems have the potential to be cost-effective, credible, and useful in collecting large amounts of patients' data, and ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1601456/full

Perceptions of mental health professionals towards ... Only 24.3% used AI in practice, though 85.7% were aware of AI. Participants positively rated AI's impact (mean item range: 3.48-3.75) and felt ...

4. mental.jmir.org mental.jmir.org/2025/1/e64414/

Physician Perspectives on the Potential Benefits and Risks of ... Physicians identified multiple potential benefits to the adoption of AI tools in psychiatric medicine. These were interpreted as benefits ...

5. ama-assn.org ama-assn.org/practice-management/digital-health/ai-scribes-save-15000-hours-and-restore-human-side-medicine

AI scribes save 15000 hours—and restore the human side ... Physicians overwhelmingly agreed that the technology improved their interactions with patients: 84% reported a positive effect on communication, ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07087119

Artificial Intelligence Powered Mental Health Support Tool ... The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the acceptability of an artificial intelligence powered mental health support tool for mental health wellness ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949916X24000525

Enhancing mental health with Artificial Intelligence This review explores the integration of AI into mental healthcare, elucidating current trends, ethical considerations, and future directions in this dynamic ...

8. nature.com nature.com/articles/s44184-025-00124-y

AI Impact on Physician Decision-Making for Mental Health Approximately 21.55% of physicians who assessed the patient as a good candidate and received an AI recommendation that misaligned with their ...

9. ama-assn.org ama-assn.org/press-center/ama-press-releases/ama-physician-enthusiasm-grows-health-care-ai

AMA: Physician enthusiasm grows for health care AI A majority (68%) of physicians surveyed in 2024 indicated they see definite or some advantage to using AI tools, up slightly from 65% in 2023.