Table 2.

Overview of categories, subcategories and corresponding examples based on qualitative analysis.

category	Subcategory	Example
User group	Positive Attitudes	Enabling of individual chat selection (in case someone needs small talk or similar) Possible individual language selection Target group-oriented language possible
	Negative Attitudes	Specific user groups are not confident with modern techniques and chatbots
Technical implementation	Positive Attitudes	Communication tools, e.g., emojis and artificial delays could be helpful to simulate human-like conversation
	Negative Attitudes	By now, algorithms are too strict to enable flexible and individualized answer design Smalltalk is not expedient
Acceptance and trust	Positive Attitudes	Anonymity reduces reluctance and shame when disclosing personal and hurtful information
	Negative Attitudes	Skepticism regarding the ability of the intermediary instance chatbot to support physicians as this could limit the direct doctor–patient relationship Informational gain is questionable due to lost information from nonverbal communication Initial personal talk remains indispensable Data security
Use in medicine	Positive Attitudes	Reflecting through chatting as a therapeutic tool but not as a substitute for therapy Interactive diary
	Negative Attitudes	Critical toward chatbots as a therapy tool Human contact and empathy are crucial for therapeutic success