Let’s Get Real About Using AI at Work

You’ve heard it: “Just ask ChatGPT.”

But then you do — and it gives you a generic, half-baked response that sounds like a Wikipedia summary wearing a lab coat.

It’s not the AI that’s broken.

It’s the way we’re asking.

This newsletter is your cheat sheet for getting actually useful, clinical-grade answers from AI — fast.

Why Prompting Matters More Than You Think

AI doesn’t think like a doctor. It thinks like a mirror.

What you put in determines what comes out.

The difference between a vague prompt and a precise one?

Wasted time versus workflow magic.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1: Assign the AI a Role — Be Specific

If you don’t tell the AI who to “be,” it will default to something generic. That’s like asking a med student to write your research paper without direction.

✅ Instead, set the stage:

“Act as a physician leadership coach with experience mentoring burnout-prone hospitalists.”

Why it works: This focuses the AI’s tone, content, and depth.

Step 2: Give It Relevant Background — But Not a Text Dump

AI needs context. But it’s not your therapist — it doesn’t need your whole life story.

✅ Provide what matters:

“I’m a hospitalist 10 years into practice, leading a small inpatient team. Morale is low. We’re seeing increasing burnout and turnover.”

Why it works: It zeroes in on the problem without overload.

Step 3: Ask a Specific Question — Clarity Is Power

Vague questions = vague answers.

Instead of:

❌ “How can I improve my team?”

Try:

✅ “What are three burnout prevention strategies I can introduce to my hospitalist team this month that don’t require budget approval?”

Why it works: It frames the response toward action, not theory.

Step 4: Invite the AI to Ask You Back

Great prompting is a conversation, not a command.

✅ Add this to your prompt:

“If you need more details to improve your response, ask me for clarification.”

Why it works: You open the door to more accurate, collaborative results — just like a smart consultant would.

Real-Life Physician Prompt Example

Prompt:

“Act as a digital health content strategist. I’m a cardiologist launching a newsletter for peers focused on tech in cardiology. I want the first edition to include a short thought leadership piece on AI in diagnostics. What’s a compelling angle I could take, and what 3 points should I highlight to grab attention?”

This gives you strategy, tone, and actionable structure in one clean reply.

Bottom Line: AI Is a Scalpel, Not a Sledgehammer

The better your prompt, the more surgical the response.

If you’re not getting value from ChatGPT or any AI tool — it’s probably not the tool. It’s the prompt.

You don’t need to write code. You just need to communicate like a clinician — clear, purposeful, and context-driven.

Try This Today

1. Revisit the last AI question you asked. Reframe it using the 4-step framework.

2. Test it in your favorite AI tool.
   

Compare the difference. You’ll never prompt the same way again.

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