Key Initiatives

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) in Family Medicine

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can help physicians make decisions at the bedside, decrease time to diagnosis, and better triage patients who need subspecialty care. The ACGME Family Medicine Program Requirements state that "residents should have experience in using point-of-care ultrasound in clinical care."1

STFM provides family medicine educators with resources to help them teach POCUS their institutions. This "Teaching POCUS" guide includes online modules for STFM members and opportunities to register for virtual POCUS workshops.

POCUS Resources

"TEACH POCUS" ONLINE MODULES

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FM POCUS EDUCATOR'S CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

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"Teach POCUS" Online Modules

STFM's "Teach POCUS" online modules series was created specifically for family medicine educators, providing them the background and understanding needed to start or advance POCUS training at their programs. Each of the 10 modules in the series includes structured content on performing ultrasound in the clinic, videos demonstrating how to teach POCUS, and more.

"Teach POCUS" Online Modules

 

FM POCUS Educator's Certificate Program

The yearlong STFM FM POCUS Educator’s Certificate Program trains family medicine residency faculty to serve as their program’s POCUS champion with the skills to train family medicine residents how to effectively use POCUS.

Participants in the certificate program benefit from:

  • A POCUS curriculum tailored for family medicine faculty
  • In-person and virtual workshops
  • Online modules on targeted topics
  • Image review with feedback by experienced faculty
  • Monthly education review sessions
  • A final assessment with written and in-person skills exams


FM POCUS Educator's Certificate Program

 

Sources

1. ACGME Program Requirements for Graduate Medical Education in Family Medicine. https://www.acgme.org/globalassets/pfassets/programrequirements/120_familymedicine_2023.pdf. Accessed June 21, 2024.

Contact Us

 

11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway

Leawood, KS 66211

(800) 274-7928

stfmoffice@stfm.org 

 

 

Events

May 30, 2025, 12 pm CDT/1 pm EDT: Webinar: Ethical Use of AI in the Family Medicine Clinic

July 21, 2025, 12 pm CDT/1 pm EDT: Equitable Advisors Webinar: "Strategies for Pushing Past Your First $1 Million"

September 8–10, 2025: The 2025 STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement

Due Dates

May 16, 2025: STFM Foundation Student Scholar Nominations Due

May 23, 2025: Applications for Leadership Through Scholarship Fellowship

May 23, 2025: Applications to Serve on the STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement Steering Committee Due

June 10, 2025: Presentation Submissions for the 2026 Conference on Medical Student Education

Useful Links

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AI Chatbot Tips

Tips for Using STFM's AI Assistant

STFM's AI Assistant is designed to help you find information and answers about Family Medicine education. While it's a powerful tool, getting the best results depends on how you phrase your questions. Here's how to make the most of your interactions:

1. Avoid Ambiguous Language

Be Clear and Specific: Use precise terms and avoid vague words like "it" or "that" without clear references.

Example:

Instead of: "Can you help me with that?"
Try: "Can you help me update our Family Medicine clerkship curriculum?"
Why this is important: Ambiguous language can confuse the AI, leading to irrelevant or unclear responses. Clear references help the chatbot understand exactly what you're asking.

2. Use Specific Terms

Identify the Subject Clearly: Clearly state the subject or area you need information about.

Example:

Instead of: "What resources does STFM provide?"
Try: "I'm a new program coordinator for a Family Medicine clerkship. What STFM resources are available to help me design or update clerkship curricula?"
Why this is better: Providing details about your role ("program coordinator") and your goal ("design or update clerkship curricula") gives the chatbot enough context to offer more targeted information.

3. Don't Assume the AI Knows Everything

Provide Necessary Details:The STFM AI Assistant has been trained on STFM's business and resources. The AI can only use the information you provide or that it has been trained on.

Example:

Instead of: "How can I improve my program?"
Try: "As a program coordinator for a Family Medicine clerkship, what resources does STFM provide to help me improve student engagement and learning outcomes?"
Why this is important: Including relevant details helps the AI understand your specific situation, leading to more accurate and useful responses.

4. Reset if You Change Topics

Clear Chat History When Switching Topics:

If you move to a completely new topic and the chatbot doesn't recognize the change, click the Clear Chat History button and restate your question.
Note: Clearing your chat history removes all previous context from the chatbot's memory.
Why this is important: Resetting ensures the AI does not carry over irrelevant information, which could lead to confusion or inaccurate answers.

5. Provide Enough Context

Include Background Information: The more context you provide, the better the chatbot can understand and respond to your question.

Example:

Instead of: "What are the best practices?"
Try: "In the context of Family Medicine education, what are the best practices for integrating clinical simulations into the curriculum?"
Why this is important: Specific goals, constraints, or preferences allow the AI to tailor its responses to your unique needs.

6. Ask One Question at a Time

Break Down Complex Queries: If you have multiple questions, ask them separately.

Example:

Instead of: "What are the requirements for faculty development, how do I register for conferences, and what grants are available?"
Try: Start with "What are the faculty development requirements for Family Medicine educators?" Then follow up with your other questions after receiving the response.
Why this is important: This approach ensures each question gets full attention and a complete answer.

Examples of Good vs. Bad Prompts

Bad Prompt

"What type of membership is best for me?"

Why it's bad: The AI Chat Assistant has no information about your background or needs.

Good Prompt

"I'm the chair of the Department of Family Medicine at a major university, and I plan to retire next year. I'd like to stay involved with Family Medicine education. What type of membership is best for me?"

Why it's good: The AI Chat Assistant knows your role, your future plans, and your interest in staying involved, enabling it to provide more relevant advice.

Double Check Important Information

While the AI Chat Assistant is a helpful tool, it can still produce inaccurate or incomplete responses. Always verify critical information with reliable sources or colleagues before taking action.

Technical Limitations

The Chat Assistant:

  • Cannot access external websites or open links
  • Cannot process or view images
  • Cannot make changes to STFM systems or process transactions
  • Cannot access real-time information (like your STFM Member Profile information)

STFM AI Assistant
Disclaimer: The STFM Assistant can make mistakes. Check important information.