Use of a Medical Communication Framework to Assess the Quality of Generative Artificial Intelligence Replies to Primary Care Patient Portal Messages: Content Analysis

GenAI response quality on behalf of primary care physicians and advanced practice providers may vary by communication function. Expressions of respect or descriptions of common next steps may be appropriate, but gathering and delivering appropriate information, or responding to emotion, may be limited. While communication standards were often met, they were also often compromised. Understanding these strengths and limitations can inform decisions about whether, when, and how to apply GenAI as a tool for primary care inbox communication.