Impact of Digital Transformation on Mental Healthcare: Opportunities, Challenges, and Role of AI Chat-bots in Symptom Management

Mental health disorders are a significant global health burden, and access to mental healthcare services remains a challenge. Digital transformation has emerged as a promising solution, but it also presents its own set of challenges. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of digital transformation on mental healthcare, identify the opportunities and challenges it presents, and to examine the role of AI chat-bots in mental health symptom management. Drawing on a comprehensive literature review, a theoretical framework is developed, and five hypotheses are proposed. Methods: This study employs a cross-sectional survey design, collecting data from mental healthcare professionals in three countries. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses and examine the relationships among digital transformation, opportunities, challenges, AI chat-bot effectiveness, and mental health symptom management. Findings: The results provide support for the hypothesized relationships, highlighting the significant influence of digital transformation on opportunities and challenges, the impact of opportunities on AI chat-bot effectiveness, and the role of AI chat-bots in mental health symptom management. Novelties: This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of digital transformation in mental healthcare and offers practical implications for the development and implementation of effective digital mental health interventions. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2024-08-04-012 Full Text: PDF