Research

CAFM Educational Research Alliance (CERA)

Become a CERA Mentor

Interested in becoming a CERA mentor or reviewer?

CERA is seeking experienced researchers to:

  • Work with investigators to refine questions
  • Help prepare manuscripts and abstracts
  • Keep the survey team moving forward
  • Assist with the data analysis, particularly with the analysis plan

Benefits of Being a CERA Mentor:

  • The opportunity to help junior researchers advance their skills
  • The opportunity to network with members of the CERA Steering Committee and other researchers
  • Authorship on publications and presentations produced by your survey team
  • Recognition on the CERA website

Expectations for CERA Mentors:

Mentors are expected to participate in 1-2 studies per year. Participation means making contact with investigators and leading them through the process from question development to analysis to publication. It's expected that papers will be submitted for publication within three months after the close of surveys.

To become a CERA mentor, email your name, program/institution affiliation, and a brief (1 page or less) overview of your research experience and skills to Grace Shih, MD at ghshih@uw.edu

Information for Mentors   

Need a Mentor?

A benefit of CERA is that institutions that don't have a strong research infrastructure or experienced investigators can receive help in moving from an idea to publication. The CERA Steering Committee is available to answer questions and assist individuals in preparing proposals.

Email Grace Shih, MD
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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:

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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:
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Try: "As a program coordinator for a Family Medicine clerkship, what resources does STFM provide to help me improve student engagement and learning outcomes?"
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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.

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Example:
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Try: "In the context of Family Medicine education, what are the best practices for integrating clinical simulations into the curriculum?"
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Break Down Complex Queries: If you have multiple questions, ask them separately.

Example:
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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.