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Bonus Conference Episode: Conference on Medical Student Education 2025

Artificial Intelligence and Family Medicine Education: Utopia and Simultaneous Dystopia

Presented by Nipa R. Shah, MD; University of Florida
STFM Conference on Medical Student Education 2025 Opening Session | Friday, January 31, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a major disruptor in many fields, especially health care. Dr Shah presented the latest updates in AI as it relates to medical education. Understanding some basic terminology, possible applications in teaching and assessment, and challenges to implementation were goals of this session. Educational, legal, and ethical considerations will be vital for family medicine educators to be able to incorporate AI into various curricula and policies. Staffing, infrastructure, training, and more will be affected significantly, and it is best to be educated about AI, and be a spokesperson for this innovative technology. There is also, of course, significant hype and promises with AI, and separating reality from hype is important. Emphasis during this session will be placed on evidence-based, FDA-approved innovations based on AI as well as the profound impact that AI has and will continue to have on higher education. Organizations will need to be educated, nimble, and prepared to incorporate AI into various initiatives. Access to care, cost, and reliability of AI will be addressed as well. Leadership decisions regarding investing in AI technology, especially in relation to medical education, will also be briefly addressed.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this session, participants should be able to:

  1. Understand basic terminology in the field of artificial intelligence (AI)
  2. Learn practical strategies in utilizing AI to help meet challenges in medical student education
  3. Become aware of possible pitfalls with AI, including hallucinations, bias, misinformation, and liability concerns

Copyright © Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, 2025

Nipa R. Shah, MD

Dr Shah is a professor and the chair of the department of Community Health and Family Medicine at the University of Florida, where she supervises a group of 25 clinics in two states and 115 physicians and advanced practice providers. She completed the Executive Program in Artificial Intelligence with Implications for Business Strategy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has been teaching about AI and medicine to local, national and international audiences for over 6 years.

She is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, is a recipient of the Robert C. Nuss Researcher/Scholar of the Year Award, and was recently named a “Woman of Influence” by the Jacksonville Business Journal. Her leadership training includes fellowship training from America’s Essential Hospitals, with interests in AI, telehealth, and business strategy.

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Events

May 3–7, 2025: STFM Annual Spring Conference

May 5, 2025, 7:30–11 pm: STFM Foundation MediPalooza Fundraiser

September 8–10, 2025: The 2025 STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement

Due Dates

April 1, 2025: Early Bird Deadline for STFM Annual Spring Conference Registration

April 11, 2025: Applications to Serve as STFM Representative to World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Due

April 22, 2025: Deadline to Submit Questions for a CERA Family Medicine Department Chair Survey

May 5, 2025: Deadline for Online Bids in STFM Foundation MediPalooza Auction

May 16, 2025: STFM Foundation Student Scholar Nominations Due

May 23, 2025: Applications to Serve on the STFM Conference on Practice & Quality Improvement Steering Committee Due

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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.

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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.

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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:

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.

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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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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.

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Break Down Complex Queries: If you have multiple questions, ask them separately.

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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.

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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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