CAFM Educational Research Alliance (CERA)

Past CERA Survey Data by Topic

The data in this Clearinghouse was collected through surveys of members of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors, North American Primary Care Research Group, and Association of Departments of Family Medicine. The data are available to all members.

We offer the following caution and advice to anyone conducting analyses on this data:

  1. We do not monitor who has downloaded this data or for what purposes. It is possible someone else has already looked at the question you are considering. We strongly suggest you conduct a thorough literature search prior to starting your own analysis.
  2. Different organizations’ Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) will have different opinions about the need for IRB approval of secondary analysis of this data. All of the CERA surveys represented in this Clearinghouse were conducted with approval of the AAFP IRB. We suggest you check with your institution’s IRB about the need for further approval prior to doing your analysis.
  3. When using CERA data, please include this acknowledgment: This data was collected as part of a survey conducted by the CAFM Educational Research Alliance (CERA). The project was approved by the American Academy of Family Physician's Institutional Review Board.

Get answers to frequently asked questions about the CERA Data Clearinghouse.

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Family Medicine Physicians' Attitudes and Experiences with Opioid Prescribing for the Management of Chronic Non-Malignant Pain

2012 General Membership Survey

Characteristics Used by Family Medicine Clerkship Directors for Recommending Specific Residency Programs to Medical Students

2014 Clerkship Directors Survey

The Extent of Incentive Compensation Plans in Academic Family Medicine and the Perceptions of Faculty Members About Such Plans With Respect to Organizational Psychology Constructs

2012 General Membership Survey

Scope of Practice Experience in Family Medicine Clerkships and Implications for Recruitment to Careers in Family Medicine

2014 Clerkship Directors Survey

Identify Clerkship Directors' Perceptions of Strengths and Deficiencies of Graduating Medical Students from US Medical Schools

2014 Clerkship Directors Survey

National Study Family Medicine Resident Burnout: Evidence-based Risk/mitigating Factors

2020 Resident Survey

CERA Data by Audience

CERA Data FAQs

CERA Publications & Presentations

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July 21, 2025: Apply to Serve on STFM Board of Directors

July 22, 2025: Proposals for a CERA Family Medicine Program Directors Survey Due

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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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Disclaimer: The STFM Assistant can make mistakes. Check important information.