Resources

Clerkship Onboarding Implementation Guide

Get Started with the Clerkship Onboarding Resources

How to Use These Resources

Consider bringing together key stakeholders at your school to discuss a process for implementing the following resources at your institution.

  • Education for students on "How to Be Awesome in Your Ambulatory Clinical Rotation"
    Have your students review this brief document before beginning their clinical rotations. Encourage the mindset  with students and with preceptors  that students are at clinical sites both to learn and to add value to the clinical practice. This document includes practical strategies and tips for students about how to maximize their time at an ambulatory clinical rotation.

  • Online Training Modules for Students
    Direct students to https://stfm.org/studentonboarding to complete all three of the online modules before they begin clinical rotations. Each of the modules takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete, and can be accessed and reviewed at any time. Students need to attest to completion of these modules when filling out the Student Passport. If you want to request additional proof of completion of the modules, students can also download and email certificates of completion after finishing each module. The following three topics are covered: 

    • "How to Write a High-Quality Note in the Electronic Medical Record"
    • "How to Perform Medication Reconciliation"
    • "Motivational Interviewing: a Structured Approach to Behavior Change”

  • Student Passport
    The online passport should be completed or updated before each rotation. This document is used to quickly provide each preceptor with basic information about the student's training, screenings, previous clinical rotations, and objectives for the current clinical rotation.

    An administrator at the school needs to email the completed student passport and the Confirmation of Readiness for Clinical Work letter to the preceptor and the clerkship training site. The process works this way: 

    1. The student fills out a Student Passport at the online passport site by uploading the necessary information. After completing the passport, the student can download a PDF form of their own Student Passport. 
    2. The student emails the Student Passport to the designated administrator at their school and requests that he or she complete the letter to verify Confirmation of Readiness for Clinical Work. This letter includes a checklist to confirm that the student has completed necessary trainings such as HIPPA and blood-borne pathogens, has up-to-date immunizations and other health screenings, and is covered by current health and liability insurance.
    3. After filling out the Readiness for Clinical Work letter for the student, your administrator shares the letter and the completed Student Passport with the preceptor and the clinical rotation site.

    The passport can be updated and re-downloaded repeatedly as students gain clinical and procedural experience. Click on the Student Passport link for detailed instructions for use.

  • AAMC’s Recommendations for Preclerkship Clinical Skills Education for Undergraduate Medical Education
    As you're preparing your students for their clerkships, be sure to consider whether your preclerkship curriculum meets the goals and objectives in these national recommendations. Use the appendices that begin on page 19 to determine where there are gaps in your current preclerkship curriculum and develop strategies for filling those gaps.
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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.