
De l'idée à l'outil : une nouvelle façon pour les cliniciens de construire et d'utiliser des interventions numériques
In a recent supervision session, a trainee shared an idea for a simple tool to help a patient track mood between sessions. Not long ago, this idea would likely have stayed theoretical unless a developer was involved. Today, with OpenAI just releasing Codex Sites, a written idea can be turned into a working app that can be shared through a simple link. This changes not only what we can build, but how we think about applying ideas in clinical care. What is new is not just faster coding, but a simpler process overall. In the past, building a tool required planning, design, programming, testing, and hosting. Each step required time and often different skills. Now, much of this can happen through a guided conversation with a system. This reduces the distance between having an idea and seeing it in action. From a clinical perspective, this can support how we think and reason. The concept of the “extended mind” suggests that tools can help us think more effectively (Clark & Chalmers, 1998). When clinicians can quickly turn ideas into small working tools, they can test, reflect, and refine their thinking. This may encourage a more active and flexible approach to problem-solving in practice. This shift has practical value across different areas. A therapist might create a simple app for mood tracking, coping reminders, or session feedback. A researcher might design a tool to collect data in a more tailored way. Instead of relying only on standard tools, clinicians can begin to shape tools that better fit their patients’ needs and contexts. However, ease of creation does not guarantee quality. A tool that works technically is not always clinically appropriate. Evidence-based practice still requires theory, research, and careful judgment (Sackett et al., 1996). Without this foundation, there is a risk of creating tools that are engaging but not effective, or even misleading. Looking at fields like design science can offer useful guidance. New tools are often developed in small steps, tested, and improved over time (Hevner et al., 2004). Clinicians can adopt a similar mindset, while maintaining attention to safety and validity. Iteration is valuable, but it must be guided by clinical knowledge and patient well-being. These developments may also change how clinicians see their role. Some may begin to act not only as practitioners, but also as creators of simple digital tools. This can feel empowering, but also unfamiliar. Many clinicians do not have formal training in technology, so support and education will be important for responsible use. Ethical considerations are central in this process. When clinicians create or use digital tools, they are responsible for how these tools affect patients. Transparency about how a tool works, how data is handled, and what its limits are is essential. Patients should clearly understand what they are using and how it may influence their care. When AI is involved, additional caution is needed. These systems can produce errors, reflect bias, or generate outputs that appear reliable but are not well supported. Clinicians must remain critical and thoughtful in their use. While the gap between idea and application is shrinking, clinical responsibility and careful judgment remain unchanged.









