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The Annual Conference Has Been Rescheduled

Dear STFM Colleagues,

As you experience unprecedented changes in your daily lives, STFM is proud to read the stories of the amazing work and leadership our family physicians are providing to prepare and manage this crisis. You are an inspiration for your co-workers, learners, and STFM colleagues.

We have heard from many members who are excited about the decision to reschedule the Annual Spring Conference. Together, we will get through this historic time. We look forward to the collaboration and discovery that will take place at the conference. Thank you for all you are doing on behalf of family medicine, our communities, and our country.

NEW CONFERENCE DATES
The 2020 STFM Annual Spring Conference is now scheduled for August 24-28, 2020 at the Grand and Little America Hotels in Salt Lake City, Utah. We feel fortunate to have found alternative dates at these hotels, so STFM can offer an in-person experience for our members.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
If you have NOT cancelled your Spring conference registration, review the two options below:

  • If you do not plan to attend the August meeting, request a full refund of your previously paid conference registration fees by following these steps. Refunds must be requested by July 31, 2020.
  • If you plan to attend the August meeting, you are all set. Staff will apply your previously paid registration fee to the August meeting.

If you cancelled your Spring conference registration and received a 50% refund, STFM staff will refund the remaining portion of the registration fee automatically. The refund will be made in the same manner the registration was paid (ex. credit card or check). You should receive your refund by April 8.

If you had not yet registered for the May conference and would like to attend the rescheduled August 24-28 conference, registration will open in just a few weeks. We will notify you through email, social media, and the STFM web site when registration is open.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Beginning March 19, all hotel reservations made for the May 2-6, 2020 conference (within the STFM block) will be cancelled on your behalf without charges or penalties. Please note that the hotel will not be sending email cancellations, since the process would require them to do each one manually.

FLIGHT RESERVATIONS
If you plan to attend the August 24-28, 2020 Annual Conference and have not yet cancelled your flight for the May 2-6, 2020 conference, you may be able to exchange your flight and avoid cancellation fees. 

Ask a Question
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.