Beyond the Algorithm: Why Clinicians Must Lead the Future of Mental Health Tech
AI and other digital tools are going to play a major role in the future of healthcare, but as technologists continue to lead the charge, we’re missing a key component in how these tools get made.
There’s no shortage of innovation in healthcare—new technologies emerge constantly, promising to revolutionize care delivery, streamline workflows, and improve patient outcomes. Yet, for all the buzz about AI, automation, and digital tools, pediatric mental health remains one of the most challenging areas to innovate in. Why? Because technology alone isn’t the answer. True transformation happens at the intersection of cutting-edge tech and deep clinical expertise.
At a recent ViVE conference (an event curated for digital health decision makers) one thing was clear: healthcare tech is often dominated by engineers and product teams, with only a handful of clinicians in the mix. Over and over, I heard from doctors—oncologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists—who were frustrated with technology being “forced” into their workflows without truly addressing their needs. The fundamental problem? Too many solutions are designed by tech teams looking for a healthcare problem to solve, rather than by clinicians who understand the problems firsthand and then seek the right technology to address them.
The Missing Piece in Health Tech: Clinical Leadership
As Kurt Roots, my partner in business and life, puts it, “Many tech founders have a tendency to ideate or build solutions and then try to apply them to known, discovered, or even lived problems as a patient. That’s typically in contrast to clinical leaders, who know the problems extremely well, both because they live them every day through work but also because of their medical training.”
This disconnect leads to a familiar cycle: A startup develops a promising new tool, only to struggle with real-world adoption because it doesn’t fit seamlessly into the healthcare system. It lacks integration into existing workflows, reimbursement models aren’t considered, and the end users—often clinicians—are left trying to retrofit their processes around the tool instead of the other way around.
Why Clinicians Need to Lead Innovation
The reality is that healthcare is hard. Really hard. It’s highly regulated, deeply fragmented, and resistant to rapid change. As Kurt has pointed out, “Data is locked up, highly regulated, and fragmented, which significantly increases costs and time to develop viable solutions. Health plans control payments and rate structures, often defaulting to standardized reimbursement models that leave little room for different approaches, limiting care delivery innovation.”
For innovation to stick—especially in pediatric mental health—clinicians need to be in the driver’s seat. That means more than just providing feedback on a product after it’s built. It means being at the table from day one, shaping the ideas, guiding development, and ensuring that solutions solve the real problems clinicians and patients face every day.
A Call to Action for Clinicians
Too often, clinicians are treated as cogs in the healthcare machine—expected to adapt to new technology rather than shaping it. But here’s the truth: If clinicians don’t take an active role in innovation, they’ll continue to be on the receiving end of solutions that don’t work for them.
So, what can clinicians do?
- Get Involved Early – If a new solution is being introduced in your practice, don’t just accept it at face value. Ask: What team designed this? What problem does it solve? How does it fit into my workflow?
- Join Innovation Initiatives – Many health systems have innovation centers or partnerships with health tech startups. Be part of those conversations.
- Speak Up – Clinicians are rarely taught the business side of healthcare, but understanding how innovation is funded and scaled is crucial. Your insights are invaluable—don’t hesitate to share them.
- Partner with Tech – If you have an idea for improving care, don’t wait for someone else to build it. Find a tech partner who understands healthcare’s complexity and can work with you to develop a solution that actually fits the ecosystem.
The Future of Pediatric Mental Health Innovation
The best solutions in pediatric mental health won’t come from tech alone—or from clinicians alone. It’s the combination of both that leads to meaningful, scalable change. At Bend Health, this balance is baked into our DNA. As a clinician-led organization, we recognize that great technology enhances care, but it doesn’t replace the expertise, empathy, and decision-making that clinicians bring to the table.
There’s no doubt that AI, machine learning, and digital tools have a role to play in the future of mental health care. But as we continue to innovate, let’s make sure that clinicians aren’t just users of new technology—they’re leading the charge in shaping it.
Additional helpful reads
Check out these helpful blog posts for more insights from Dr. Monika Roots.
Supporting PCPs: How to Navigate Mental Health Conversations with Families
Incorporating mental health checks into regular pediatric health visits is as important as it is simple. With a few simple questions, you can begin to understand the child’s mental health ecosystem, and make a difference from the very beginning. Let’s get into how.
The Missing Piece: Why Value-Based Care Hasn’t Fully Taken Hold in Pediatric Mental Health
Value-based care promises better health outcomes, yet pediatric mental health remains overlooked. Why? Lack of metrics, Medicaid barriers, and systemic blind spots. It’s time to unpack the challenges—and solutions—that could finally make value-based care work for kids. It’s time to rethink value.