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STFM Seeking Nominations for Open Committee Positions

July 1, 2022—STFM is seeking nominations and self-nominations for open committee positions. Committee members serve a 2-year term and are eligible for an additional 2-year term based on an invitation by the committee chair, acceptance by the individual, and approval by the Board.

Academic Family Medicine Advocacy Committee (AFMAC): One Opening 
This committee develops recommendations for policy concerning federal legislation and regulations affecting academic family medicine. This position requires someone with advocacy and/or policy experience.

Graduate Medical Education Committee: One Opening      
This committee provides insight and resources to address the issues and needs of family medicine residency educators and their programs.

Medical Student Education Committee: Three Openings    
This committee provides insight and resources to address the needs of family medicine departments and educators, plans the STFM Conference on Medical Student Education, and organizes the STFM track for the AAFP National Conference of Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students.

Program Committee: Three Openings    
This committee reviews submissions and plans the STFM Annual Spring Conference, which serves as a showcase for the latest developments in family medicine education and research.  

Research Committee: Two Openings  
This committee reviews research submissions for the STFM Annual Spring Conference and promotes the continued development of researchers and research activities in family medicine.  

Research Committee, Fellow Representative: One Opening (NOTE: One-year term)

This committee reviews research submissions for the STFM Annual Spring Conference and promotes the continued development of researchers and research activities in family medicine. MUST be in a fellowship for the majority of the term May 2023-May 2024.

Please share with us a statement of interest listing your relevant experience in these areas (responses in bulleted form preferred; 2 page maximum):

  • Length of time in any family medicine faculty position
  • Previous committee or group experience (specify STFM, other non-profit, or other)
  • Relevant scholarly work
  • Other special characteristics, perspectives, and/or experiences that would make you a strong contributor to an STFM committee

For consideration for the 2023 committee member openings, please send your statement of interest and committee nomination form to Sandy VanTuyl by Sept 26, 2022 at svantuyl@stfm.org, or call (800) 274-7928 x 5528 for more information.

Applicants can expect to be notified of the STFM Board of Directors' decision in early December 2022.

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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.