2026 Residency Program Directors (PD29) Survey Results

This page features results and topics for the 2026 Program Director (29) as part of the CAFM Educational Research Alliance (CERA).

The CERA survey data is available for free to members of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the North American Primary Care Research Group, and/or the Association of Departments of Family Medicine. Log in using the button link below with your membership username and password to access the contents of this page. After you log in, this page will automatically reload. Scroll to this spot to find links to all of the modules.

If you have trouble logging in, please email stfmoffice@stfm.org or call (800) 274-7928.

If you are a member of the Association of Family Medicine Program Directors and would like access to the data, contact Rhiannon Johnson at rjohnson@stfm.org.

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Events

November 4, 2026, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "At the Deep End: How Family Physicians Can Build Connection, Community, and Change"

November 12, 2026, 12:30 pm eastern: Webinar: "Building Your Legacy: 8 Smart Estate Planning Strategies to Protect Family and Preserve Wealth"

December 2, 2026, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Adaptive Coach: The Core Principles Behind Effective Coaching"

January 13, 2027, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Present Coach: Listening and Silence for Learning"

February 3, 2027, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Curious Coach: Powerful Questions and Reframing for Insight"

February 5–7, 2027: STFM Conference on Medical Student Education

March 10, 2027, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Disciplined Coach: Taming the Advice Monster and Guiding Growth"

April 7, 2027, 1 pm eastern: Webinar: "The Collaborative Coach: Co-Creating Goals and Growth Plans"

May 1–5, 2027: STFM Annual Spring Conference

Deadlines

November 8, 2026: Nominations for Curtis G. Hames Research Award

November 8, 2026: Nominations for STFM Research Paper of the Year Award

November 8, 2026: Apply for AI Centers of Excellence Recognition Program

November 14, 2026: Apply for STFM Emerging Leaders Fellowship

January 13, 2027: Apply for POCUS Educator's Certificate Program

January 20, 2027: Call for New Faculty for POCUS Educator's Certificate Program

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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.

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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.