STFM Seeking Individual to Serve as Our Representative to Wonca

January 21, 2022—STFM is seeking an individual to serve as our representative to Wonca. The term as our rep will begin June 1, 2022, and end shortly following the 2025 Wonca World Conference (dates TBD). We strive to have the Wonca representative attend two Wonca World Conferences to enhance continuity and relationship building.

The responsibilities are listed below. We’ll be looking for a representative with global health interest and experience and someone who has been engaged with Wonca. It’s helpful for our representative to understand the structure of Wonca and its activities to help STFM build and maintain connections.

Lucy Candib, MD, is our current representative and can respond to questions about the role (lmcandib@gmail.com).

If you are interested, please submit a letter of interest and CV to Sandy Van Tuyl (svantuyl@stfm.org) by March 1, 2022. Members of the Collaborative on Global Health and Dr. Candib will screen applicants and bring their recommendations to the STFM Executive Committee for approval.

Responsibilities: The Wonca representative will be responsible for representing STFM at the Wonca World Conference and Wonca Council meeting held every 2 years in person. Virtual Council meetings are held annually between in-person meetings. It is expected that the representative will do the following:

  • Attend the World Council meeting and Wonca World Conference scientific meetings (2023 in Sydney, Australia and 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal) and the virtual World Council meetings in 2022 and 2024
  • Look for opportunities to present at the Wonca scientific conference
  • Engage with Wonca members/committees, particularly the Wonca Working Party on Education
  • Maintain contact with other Wonca members and committees in the intervening years to stay current with issues and official positions/actions of Wonca 
  • Report annually to the STFM Board of Directors 
  • Serve as the STFM lead for sharing STFM information through Wonca media outlets

Selection criteria: The representative shall be a member of STFM and have demonstrated an interest in and understanding of the Society and Wonca. STFM activities at the regional or national level; leadership in committees, subcommittees, or groups; and activities in international medical groups will be considered in the selection. STFM will also consider diversity and opportunities to connect to other STFM initiatives as appropriate. 

Fiscal note: STFM will support travel and registration expenses for its representative to attend each Wonca World Conference and its respective Wonca Council meeting up to an amount established for each trip. The interim meetings will not be supported as a rule.

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.