This article is part of our series, The Clinician’s Perspective, where we explore the intersection of AI and healthcare through the eyes of our team – former clinicians who understand the realities of patient care firsthand.

The rising challenges and growing demands in mental health

Mental health challenges are escalating rapidly. In the US, 90 % of public believe there is an ongoing mental health crisis, according to a 2022 survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and CNN. One-third could not get the mental health care they needed. At the same time, mental health professionals spend at least 20% of their total working hours on admin - valuable time that could otherwise be spent with patients.

A gap compared to other medical fields

Unlike clinicians in other specialties, psychologists typically work without the support of dictation tools or medical secretaries. Even with years of academic education and specialized training, psychologists often manage extensive documentation alone, limiting patient capacity and increasing burnout risk.

Unique challenges in mental health documentation

Compared to other areas of medicine, mental health care presents specific documentation complexities that add to the administrative burden:

• Extended sessions and detailed notes: Mental health consultations are longer, leading to extensive documentation.
• Biopsychosocial complexity: Effective psychological treatment demands detailed biological, psychological, and social documentation.
• Language-centric practice: Since mental health assessments primarily involve conversation, accuracy and nuance in documentation are crucial.

AI as a transformative solution

AI-powered solutions, like Tandem’s AI medical scribe, directly addresses these documentation challenges:

• More time for patients: Automates routine tasks, returning 1-2 hours each day to clinicians.
• Reduced cognitive load: With an AI scribe managing note-taking, psychologists can fully focus on clinical decisions.
• Improved documentation quality: Ensures consistent and precise records, supporting better patient care.

That’s why it’s encouraging to see leading mental health providers taking real steps to reduce this burden – using AI to support their clinicians and improve continuity of care.

Ensuring attentive and focused care

The stakes in mental health are high – patients are often vulnerable, sometimes with severe risks such as suicide. As the body of people seeking mental health care increases, enabling mental health professionals to spend time with the patient will be essential. Streamlining administrative tasks with an AI medical scribe not only boosts efficiency but can also improve patient outcomes and potentially save lives.

In conclusion

As mental health care demand grows, minimizing time spent on admin and maximising time spent with the patients will be essential. Reducing administrative burdens helps psychologists deliver better, more attentive care, improving patient outcomes and clinician well-being.

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About Ludwig Honk

Ludwig Honk, Medical Operations at Tandem Health, is a clinical psychologist and international healthcare strategist with a background spanning clinical psychology, medical science, and international business. Trained at Karolinska Institutet and the Stockholm School of Economics, he has worked across both public and private sectors – from psychological diagnostics to leading healthcare collaborations between Sweden and Brazil. He has also published research on psychedelics and mental health, contributing to the growing body of evidence exploring innovative approaches to psychiatric care.

Now focused on expanding access to AI-powered tools at Tandem Health, Ludwig blends clinical insight with business acumen to ensure technology supports better care for patients and providers alike.

If you’d like to discuss AI’s potential to transform mental health care, feel free to connect with Ludwig on LinkedIn.