Samuli Saarni
About me
I am professor of Psychiatry at Tampere University, with multidisciplinary background in research, development and healthcare management. Degrees comprising a MD with PhD in Quality of Life research, specialist in Psychiatry, certified psychotherapist; M.Soc.Sc with PhD in Health Technology Assessment, specialist in Healthcare, docent of Healthcare Ethics, EMBA.
My reseach interests focus on the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of mental health treatments. I have been involved in developing large-scale psychological treatment and digital service programmes, including leading the First-Line Therapies Initiative. My research uses pragmatic trials, real-world clinical data, and national health registers to study how evidence-based treatments can be delivered at scale within public health systems, in addition to more theoretical investigations of ethical, legal and policy issues within healthcare.
Responsibilities
Responsible for pre- and postgraduate education and research in Psychiatry.
Latest publications
A competence framework for training cognitive behavioural therapy with children and adolescents: integration of existing models and comparison with national training programmes in Finland
Mikkonen, K., Laitala, S., Launistola, H., Wood, M., Santti, E., Fredriksson, J., Karukivi, M., Saarni, S. I. & Saarni, S. E., 2025, In: Psychiatria Fennica. 56, p. 288-297 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Efficacy and effectiveness of therapist-guided internet versus face-to-face cognitive behavioural therapy for depression via counterfactual inference using naturalistic registers and machine learning in Finland: a retrospective cohort study
Rosenström, T. H., Saarni, S. E., Saarni, S. I., Tammilehto, J. & Stenberg, J. H., Mar 2025, In: The Lancet Psychiatry. 12, 3, p. 189-197 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Hyvinvointialueen itsehallinnon rajoilla: Miten oikeus riittäviin terveyspalveluihin rajaa hyvinvointialueen paikallista itsehallintoa?
Tanner, L., Saarni, S. & Nykänen, E., 2025, In: Lakimies. 123, 2, p. 254-281 28 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Lääkärin etiikan perusperiaatteita
Saarni, S., 2025, Palliatiivinen hoito. Saarto, T., Lehto, J., Jämsen, E. & R. P. (eds.). Kustannus Oy Duodecim, pli00284 (027.015)Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Professional
Lääketieteellinen etiikka: periaatteita ja työkaluja
Saarni, S., 2025, Palliatiivinen hoito. Saarto, T., Lehto, J., Jämsen, E. & R. P. (eds.). Kustannus Oy Duodecim, pli00283 (027.010)Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Professional
Technological maturity model for digital decision support systems in mental healthcare: A scoping review comparing the Finnish Therapy Navigator services to international alternatives
Karolaakso, T., Mikkonen, K., Tantarimäki, T. & Saarni, S. I., 22 Dec 2025, In: Finnish Journal of eHealth and eWelfare. 17, 4, p. 532-547Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Terapiat etulinjaan -toimintamalli työterveyden tukena
Räisänen, K., Roslund, P., Mikkonen, K., Koskiaho, I., Peitsara-Haataja, K. & Saarni, S., 2025, In: Työterveyslääkäri. 43, 3, p. 16-19 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Professional
Transformative Health Technology Assessment of Dynamically Developing Digital and AI Innovations
Saarni, S. & Ruotsalainen, R., 2025, Translational Health Informatics: Bridging Theory and Practice for Better Healthcare Delivery. Rissanen, M., Saastamoinen, K. & Ikonen, T. S. (eds.). CRC Press, p. 110-131 22 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Uudistettu Terapianavigaattori ja ensijäsennys säästävät aikaa ja parantavat mielenterveyden ongelmien arviointia työterveyshuollossa
Nurminen, S., Ollikainen, T., Mikkonen, K. & Saarni, S., 2025, In: Työterveyslääkäri. 43, 3, p. 20-23 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Professional
Aikuisille tarvitaan kansallinen ADHD-suositus
Jääskeläinen, E., Koski, A., Tani, P., Korkeila, J., Kampman, O., Karlsson, H., Saarni, S., Sassi, P., Faninger-Lund, H., Väyrynen, T., Halt, A.-H. & Vataja, R., May 2024, In: Lääkärilehti. 79, 22, p. 916-917Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Professional