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How a psychiatrist can use AI, task by task

O*NET 29-1223.00: PsychiatristsMedian pay $281,870/year (BLS, May 2025)12 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent mental disorders.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Adolescent Psychiatrist, Adult Psychiatrist, Attending Psychiatrist, Board Certified Psychiatrist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Child Psychiatrist, Consulting Psychiatrist, Forensic Psychiatrist, Medical Doctor (MD), Physician.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 0%AI-assist 29%Stays human 71%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 0 AI-ready, 4 AI-assist and 8 human-led tasks out of 12. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 0

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

None of this job's tasks are here.

AI can help you prep these 4

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Gather and maintain patient information and records, including social or medical history obtained from patients, relatives, or other professionals.

Daily

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to gather and maintain patient information and records, including social or medical history obtained from patients, relatives, or other professionals.

Context: We use MEDITECH software and eClinicalWorks EHR software.
Specialty: [chiropractic, dental, general]
What to capture: [conditions, meds, allergies, history]

Draft a medical history template with prompts. No patient data. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: History-taking template

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you gather and maintain patient information and records (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Specialty] and [What to capture] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Record patient medical histories.. Also involves: Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals..

Review and evaluate treatment procedures and outcomes of other psychiatrists or medical professionals.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to review and evaluate treatment procedures and outcomes of other psychiatrists or medical professionals.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel and MEDITECH software; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Data: [paste de-identified outcomes]
Treatment: [describe]

Analyze effectiveness with formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Treatment effectiveness analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you review and evaluate treatment procedures and outcomes of other psychiatrists (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Treatment] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze quantitative data to determine effectiveness of treatments or therapies..

Teach, take continuing education classes, attend conferences or seminars, or conduct research and publish findings to increase understanding of mental, emotional, or behavioral states or disorders.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to teach, take continuing education classes, attend conferences or seminars, or conduct research and publish findings to increase understanding of mental, emotional, or behavioral states or disorders.

Context: We use MEDITECH software and eClinicalWorks EHR software; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Topic: [condition, treatment, question]
My goal: [study design, teaching, clinical update]

Summarize current evidence, key trials, open questions, and search terms for PubMed. Mark anything uncertain. I will verify every source.

10-minute exercise: Medical research brief

Step 1Pick a topic you need to get current on.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [My goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Look up the key trials it names. Don't use any you can't find.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.. Also involves: Maintain medical or professional knowledge.; Present medical research reports..

Prepare and submit case reports or summaries to government or mental health agencies.

Monthly

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to prepare and submit case reports or summaries to government or mental health agencies.

Context: We use MEDITECH software and eClinicalWorks EHR software.
Care provided: [assessments, training, progress]
Notes: [paste without names]

Draft a progress or discharge report. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Care summary report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare and submit case reports or summaries.
Step 2Fill in [Care provided] and [Notes] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.. Also involves: Prepare official health documents or records..

These stay human 8

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Responsible for others' health and safety: high responsibility · Physical closeness to others: moderately close (at arm's length)

Prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.

Several times a day

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications to treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Therapy approach: [CBT, recreational, other]
Session goal: [general, no client details]

Prepare a session outline, activities and reflection questions. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Therapy session prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prescribe, direct, or administer psychotherapeutic treatments or medications.
Step 2Fill in [Therapy approach] and [Session goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Adapt it to the client using your clinical judgment.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Treat patients using psychological therapies.. Also involves: Prescribe treatments or therapies.; Prescribe medications..

Collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or other professionals to discuss treatment plans and progress.

Several times a day

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to collaborate with physicians, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, or other professionals to discuss treatment plans and progress.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Case: [general, no identifiers]
Question: [what you need from colleagues]

Prepare a summary, the question and options. Then play the colleague. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Interdisciplinary consult prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collaborate with physicians, psychologists and social workers.
Step 2Fill in [Case] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment..

Analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.

Daily

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings to diagnose nature or extent of mental disorder.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Test or image: [x-ray, lab, scan]
Clinical question: [what to rule in or out]

List systematic review steps and pitfalls. I make the diagnosis. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Interpretation checklist

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze and evaluate patient data or test findings (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Test or image] and [Clinical question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment..

Design individualized care plans, using a variety of treatments.

Daily

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to design individualized care plans, using a variety of treatments.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Situation: [condition or project, no names]
Options: [list]

Compare options and risks; list information needed. I decide. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Plan options review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you design individualized care plans (today).
Step 2Fill in [Situation] and [Options] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop medical treatment plans..

Counsel outpatients or other patients during office visits.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to counsel outpatients or other patients during office visits.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Treatment: [general, no patient details]
Who: [patient]

Help me prepare: the 3 points that matter most for them, plain-language wording, the questions they're likely to ask, and what I should not advise on without more information. Then play them so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Treatment and side-effect conversation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you counsel outpatients or other patients (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Treatment] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check with prescribing information and your clinical guidelines.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments..

Examine or conduct laboratory or diagnostic tests on patients to provide information on general physical condition or mental disorder.

Daily

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to examine or conduct laboratory or diagnostic tests on patients to provide information on general physical condition or mental disorder.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Exam type: [general, musculoskeletal, pre-participation]
Patient group: [general description]

Make an exam sequence, plain-language explanations, and red flags. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Physical exam prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you examine or conduct laboratory or diagnostic tests (today). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Exam type] and [Patient group] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Use the explanations with your next patient.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Examine patients to assess general physical condition..

Advise or inform guardians, relatives, or significant others of patients' conditions or treatment.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to advise or inform guardians, relatives, or significant others of patients' conditions or treatment.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Procedure or result: [describe generally, no patient details]
Who: [patient, family]

Prepare a calm explanation, risks in plain words, and answers to likely fears. Then play the patient.

10-minute exercise: Explain a procedure or result

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you advise or inform guardians, relatives and significant others of patients' conditions (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Procedure or result] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check facts with the treating clinician first.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members..

Serve on committees to promote or maintain community mental health services or delivery systems.

Monthly

Leading people runs on trust. AI can prep the paperwork around it.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can prep the paperwork around leading: meeting agendas, feedback drafts, rotas, briefings and difficult-conversation rehearsals.

Prep prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to serve on committees to promote or maintain community mental health services or delivery systems.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Committee: [board, department, governing body]
Agenda item: [describe]
My view: [what I'll argue for]

Prepare my position in 2 sentences, the strongest counter-arguments, questions to ask, and what I'll vote or decide based on.

10-minute exercise: Committee meeting prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you serve on committees.
Step 2Fill in [Committee], [Agenda item] and [My view] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Read the papers yourself before the meeting.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Serve on institutional or departmental committees..

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Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Active Listeningimportance 5.0/5
    Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.4/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Speakingimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Social Perceptivenessimportance 4.8/5
    Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

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  • Neuropsychologists45% human-led · Same preparation · $110,840/yr · usually post-doctoral trainingSkills to build: Mathematics, Complex Problem Solving, Speaking
  • Genetic Counselors59% human-led · Same preparation · $100,040/yr · usually master's degreeYour skills already line up

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 2 new or updated tasks here: 0 AI-ready, 1 AI-assist, 1 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Perform mental health evaluations to provide information to courts of law on patients' mental states.

New in O*NET

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to perform mental health evaluations to provide information to courts of law on patients' mental states.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
I'm making the call, but I want to pressure-test my thinking.

The situation, with private details removed: [describe it]
What I'm leaning toward and why: [your view]
Factors that usually matter here: [cost, risk, rules, people affected]

Argue the strongest case against my view, list factors I may be overlooking, and say what extra information would change the decision.

10-minute exercise: Pressure-test: mental health evaluations

Step 1Pick the next real decision where you perform mental health evaluations, before you've committed. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Write the situation in [describe it] and your honest lean in [your view], then read the case against it.
Step 3Make the decision yourself. Afterward, note whether the counter-argument changed anything. Confirm the rules against the current official source.

Rules and regulations vary by place and change often. Confirm against the official source before relying on anything.

New O*NET task (07/2014). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Teach and supervise medical students, residents, and nurse practitioners.

New in O*NET

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a psychiatrist. Part of my job is to teach and supervise medical students, residents, and nurse practitioners.

Context: We use MEDITECH software and eClinicalWorks EHR software; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, therapy and counseling and biology.
Topic: [concept]
Students: [level]

Plan a lecture with demonstrations, problems and misconceptions to address. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Science class session

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you teach and supervise medical students, residents and nurse practitioners. Leave out names and identifying details.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Students] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

New O*NET task (08/2026). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so its label comes from similar tasks, such as “Teach students or other staff.” (Histotechnologists), and was checked by hand. O*NET work activity: Instruct college students in physical or life sciences.. Also involves: Teach medical procedures to healthcare personnel.; Train medical providers..

Getting into this job

Post-doctoral training is most common (59% of workers)

  • Graduate degree 100%
  • On-the-job training: up to 1 month
  • Related experience: 4–6 years
  • Professional certification: important (4.9/5)

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

eClinicalWorks EHR softwareEpic SystemsMEDITECH softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Word