Use AI to draft a clear, compassionate response before calling a patient with difficult test results.

Delivering bad news is one of the hardest parts of primary care. Whether it's an unexpected cancer diagnosis, a chronic disease that requires lifestyle change, or a test result that will worry your patient, having a clear plan for what you'll say helps you stay present and compassionate during the conversation. AI can help you draft a structured script that covers key points, anticipates questions, and balances honesty with empathy — all before you pick up the phone. **Step 1:** Open ChatGPT or Claude and describe the situation in general terms. Include the type of result (e.g., abnormal mammogram, new diabetes diagnosis, elevated PSA), what the patient knows so far, and any relevant context like their health literacy or anxiety level. Never include real patient names or identifiers. **Step 2:** Ask the AI to draft an opening statement that acknowledges the difficulty of the conversation and prepares the patient for what's coming. This should be empathetic but direct. **Step 3:** Request a clear explanation of the result in plain language, tailored to the patient's likely understanding. Ask the AI to avoid medical jargon and to explain what the result means and what happens next. **Step 4:** Have the AI list 3–5 questions the patient is likely to ask, along with simple, honest answers you can prepare in advance. **Step 5:** Ask the AI to draft a closing statement that reassures the patient you'll be with them through the next steps, clarifies the immediate action plan, and invites questions. **Step 6:** Review the full script, adjust the tone to match your style, and practice it once or twice before the call. Remember: this is a guide to help you stay organized and calm, not a word-for-word script to read aloud. Always use your clinical judgment and adapt in real time based on the patient's reactions.

March 13, 2026