STFM Journal Publishes Special Issue on Teaching POCUS in Family Medicine Education

The special POCUS-themed issue of Family Medicine is available for STFM members on the journal website. This issue is a new point-of-care-ultrasound resource for family medicine residency faculty and leaders.

READ THE ISSUE

October 7, 2026—The October issue of Family Medicine, a scholarly journal of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM), is dedicated to an increasingly important part of family medicine training: point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). The issue, “Teaching POCUS in Family Medicine,” is available on the journal website.The content in the issue builds on the work of the STFM POCUS Education Task Force, which brought together family medicine POCUS experts to develop recommendations and guidance for residency education. These feature articles aim to help residency programs and medical departments consider what the POCUS evolution means for learners, faculty, and clinical practice.Other articles feature contributions from educators examining curriculum development, assessment, faculty development, and implementation, plus a guest editorial from American Board of Family Medicine President Warren Newton, MD, MPH: “Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Trial for Our Specialty.”“I hope this issue provides useful context for conversations within your department about how POCUS education and practice may continue to evolve across family medicine,” says Family Medicine Editor in Chief Sarina Schrager, MD, MS. “I am grateful to the STFM POCUS Task Force, our guest editors, authors, reviewers, and partner organizations whose work and collaboration made this special issue of Family Medicine possible.”

POCUS Resources From STFM

Visit this page of the STFM website to find more resources for POCUS training in family medicine education, including online modules to train faculty how to effectively teach POCUS to future family medicine physicians.Other active POCUS programs are below:

  • STFM is hosting a virtual workshop October 16, 2026, on how to implement or improve POCUS training at your residency program. Space is limited. Sign up here.
  • STFM is currently accepting applications for the 2027–2028 cohort of the POCUS Educators Certificate Program. Learn more online.
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.