UIZ.CARE Field Research Report

Insights from General Practitioners on Youth Mental Health and AI-based Support

Date: November 2023 – July 2024
Prepared by: UIZ.CARE

1. Introduction

UIZ.CARE is developing a digital health platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to support General Practitioners (GPs) in the early detection and triage of youth mental health issues. In preparation for our pilot project in Brabant, we conducted field research with local GPs to better understand their challenges, expectations, and openness to adopting new digital solutions.

This report shares the results of that research. It is part of UIZ.CARE’s commitment to transparency, co-design, and evidence-based development.

2. Methodology

  • Approach:

    • Structured questionnaires sent to GPs.

    • Semi-structured interviews with GPs and primary care program managers.

  • Participants:

    • Dr. Hub van Thijs – General Practitioner, Gezondheidscentrum Woensel Noord (Eindhoven).

    • Dennis van de Rijt – Program Manager, primary care organization.

    • Input from other GPs via questionnaire.

  • Languages:

    • The GP interview was conducted in Dutch and translated into English for reporting.

    • Questionnaires and program manager interviews were conducted in English.

  • Focus Areas:

    1. Current challenges in GP practices.

    2. Youth mental health burden and referral bottlenecks.

    3. Administrative workload and time constraints.

    4. Digital tool usage and adoption barriers.

    5. Expectations and conditions for AI-based triage support.

3. Key Questions Asked

The GP questionnaire and interviews addressed the following:

  • What are the main challenges in daily GP practice?

  • How do you experience the rise of youth mental health cases?

  • Which processes create the greatest administrative burden?

  • What digital tools do you currently use, and how well do they integrate?

  • What are the main problems with the GGZ referral system?

  • How open are you to new technologies, especially AI-driven solutions?

  • What would make you trust and adopt such a solution?

4. GP Feedback and Observations

4.1 Challenges Reported

  • Youth mental health surge: consultations with young people presenting stress, anxiety, or depression symptoms are increasing sharply.

  • Time limitations: 10-minute consultations are insufficient for complex mental health discussions.

  • Referral bottlenecks: GGZ waiting lists are long, leaving GPs to manage patients without adequate resources.

  • Administrative overload: referral documentation and patient follow-up consume valuable time.

4.2 Requirements for New Solutions

  • Integration is key: tools must connect seamlessly with existing GP information systems (HIS/EHR).

  • Time-saving: any tool must reduce—not increase—administrative burden.

  • Trust and transparency: GPs require clarity on how AI arrives at recommendations.

  • Evidence-based validation: pilots must demonstrate safety, accuracy, and effectiveness.

  • Peer endorsement matters: word-of-mouth among GPs is the most powerful driver of adoption.

4.3 Direct GP Quotes

  • “Any new tool must save time, not add another step.”

  • “We need support in distinguishing mild cases from those that truly need referral.”

  • “Integration with our systems is key; without it, we won’t use it.”

5. Findings

  • There is a clear need for structured support in youth mental health triage.

  • GPs are open to AI support but only if it is well integrated, clinically validated, and proven to save time.

  • The greatest bottleneck lies in referral to GGZ; unnecessary referrals must be reduced while ensuring critical cases are not missed.

  • A solution that combines efficiency, accuracy, and integration could significantly improve GP capacity.

6. Recommendations

Based on the field study, the following priorities emerge for UIZ.CARE’s pilot:

  1. Integration First: connect UIZ.CARE with leading Dutch GP systems to ensure adoption.

  2. Pilot Evidence: use the Brabant pilot to demonstrate concrete outcomes on workload reduction and referral efficiency.

  3. Transparency: explain AI recommendations clearly to GPs to build trust.

  4. Youth Mental Health Focus: position UIZ.CARE as a targeted response to one of the most urgent GP challenges.

  5. Engage GPs in Co-Design: maintain continuous feedback loops to refine the tool.

7. Conclusion

The field research confirms that Dutch GPs are under heavy strain due to the youth mental health crisis. They welcome innovations that can reduce workload, improve triage accuracy, and streamline referrals.

UIZ.CARE’s solution is viewed as promising if it can:

  • Integrate seamlessly into GP workflows.

  • Deliver evidence-based support.

  • Build trust through transparency and peer validation.

This pilot represents a critical opportunity to prove that AI can become a trusted assistant to GPs, improving care for young people while preserving the sustainability of primary care practices.