Residency Accreditation Toolkit

Task Force Members

Image Description

With the launch of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Milestones Project in 2014, residency programs faced new challenges in meeting the needs of their learners and fulfilling accreditation requirements. The assessment paradigm shifted from a checklist-driven system to one that emphasized the role of formative feedback in professional development. 

In light of these changes, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) assembled a task force of medical educators to create a single resource for information regarding accreditation and resident assessment for family medicine residency programs. The STFM Residency Accreditation Toolkit represents the culmination of these efforts.

The Toolkit is now under the supervision of the STFM Graduate Medical Education Committee and undergoes regular revisions to keep up-to-date with changes in accreditation. 

Task Force Members

  • Ted Epperly, MD, Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, Boise, Task Force Chair 
  • Brandy Deffenbacher, MD, University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency
  • Timothy Graham, MD, Mount Carmel Family Medicine, Columbus, OH
  • Beth Anne Fox, MD, East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine
  • Jeff Haney, MD, Santa Rosa Family Medicine Residency
  • Barbara Joyce, PhD, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
  • Tina Kenyon, ACSW, New Hampshire Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency
  • Fred Miser, MD, Ohio State University Medical Center
  • Richard Neill, MD, University of Pennsylvania 
  • Judith Pauwels, MD, University of Washington School of Medicine
  • Erika Ringdahl, MD, University of Missouri Family Medicine Residency 
  • Stan Kozakowski, MD, AAFP Residency Program Solutions Liaison
  • Mary Theobald, MBA, Staff Liaison
  • Traci Nolte, CAE, Staff Technical Support

Contact Us

 

11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway

Leawood, KS 66211

(800) 274-7928

stfmoffice@stfm.org 

 

 

Events

January 30–February 2, 2025: STFM Conference on Medical Student Education

February 11, 2025, 11:30 am CST: Webinar: Planning for the Future: Personal Finance Education with Equitable’s Stephen Dunbar

February 28, 2025, 11 am CST: Webinar: Addressing the Residency Continuity Requirement: A Panel Discussion to Share Successes and Barriers

May 3–7, 2025: STFM Annual Spring Conference

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

Due Dates

February 4, 2025: Deadline for Presentation Proposals for 2025 Conference on Practice and Quality Improvement

February 17, 2025: Submissions for the 2025 Poetry and Prose Contest Due

February 28, 2025: Family Medicine Advocacy Summit Scholarship Applications Due

March 4, 2025: Medical Student Educators Development Institute (MSEDI) Applications Due

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

Useful Links

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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.