When does machine learning outperform clinicians? A comparison of prediction accuracy for PTSD treatment outcomes

ML models can outperform clinicians in predicting posttreatment symptom severity, particularly early in treatment, suggesting they could be a useful tool for identifying patients at risk for suboptimal outcomes. However, ML models were not superior in predicting symptom reduction, where clinicians also performed at a high level. Findings support the selective use of ML to enhance, rather than replace, clinical judgment in PTSD treatment.