Introduction
Doctors spend significant time on documentation, reducing the time available for patient care. AI can help automate administrative tasks, streamline note-taking, and speed up documentation workflows. This guide provides ready-to-use AI prompts that you can apply with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or any AI-powered assistant to enhance efficiency in your practice.
1. AI Prompts for Clinical Documentation
Visit Summaries & Progress Notes
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Prompt: “Create a SOAP note for a patient with [symptoms], [exam findings], diagnosed with [condition], and the following treatment plan: [details].”
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Example Use: Doctors can dictate bullet points from a visit, and AI will generate a structured note ready for the EHR.
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Real Use Case: A physician treating a 55-year-old male with hypertension and fatigue can use the prompt: “Create a SOAP note for a 55-year-old male presenting with fatigue and high blood pressure. Exam findings include BP 150/95, BMI 30, and mild edema. Diagnosis: Hypertension. Plan: Lifestyle changes, prescribe Lisinopril 10 mg daily, follow-up in 4 weeks.”
Referral Letters & Insurance Documents
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Prompt: “Write a referral letter to a [specialist] for a patient with [condition], summarizing symptoms, test results, and reason for referral.”
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Example Use: AI drafts the letter, and the doctor simply reviews and edits before submission.
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Real Use Case: A general practitioner referring a patient with suspected multiple sclerosis to a neurologist can use: “Write a referral letter for a 32-year-old female with intermittent tingling, weakness in her left leg, and vision disturbances. Recent MRI shows demyelinating lesions suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Referral to neurology for further evaluation and possible lumbar puncture.”
Discharge Instructions & Summaries
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Prompt: “Generate discharge instructions for a patient recovering from [surgery/condition], including medication guidance, follow-up schedule, and recovery tips.”
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Example Use: AI simplifies post-care guidance into easy-to-read instructions for patients.
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Real Use Case: A hospitalist discharging a patient after gallbladder surgery can input: “Generate discharge instructions for a 45-year-old female post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy, including dietary modifications, pain management with ibuprofen, and follow-up with a surgeon in 10 days.”
2. AI Prompts for Medical Research & Knowledge Retrieval
Summarizing Research Papers
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Prompt: “Summarize this research paper on [condition] in 200 words, highlighting key findings and clinical relevance.”
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Example Use: Doctors can quickly grasp important information without reading full studies.
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Real Use Case: A cardiologist wanting a summary of a study on new anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation can ask: “Summarize the key findings from the NEJM study on direct oral anticoagulants vs. warfarin for atrial fibrillation stroke prevention.”
Comparing Clinical Guidelines
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Prompt: “Compare the latest hypertension guidelines from the AHA, WHO, and ESC, highlighting key treatment differences.”
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Example Use: AI generates a side-by-side comparison to assist in evidence-based decision-making.
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Real Use Case: A primary care doctor deciding between different BP targets for a hypertensive patient can ask: “Compare the recommended BP targets in hypertension management from AHA vs. ESC guidelines and indicate which populations each applies to.”
3. AI Prompts for Patient Communication
Simplifying Medical Explanations
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Prompt: “Explain [condition] in simple terms for a patient, including causes, symptoms, and treatment options.”
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Example Use: AI generates patient-friendly explanations for better understanding.
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Real Use Case: A pediatrician explaining asthma to parents can ask: “Explain asthma in simple terms for parents of a 6-year-old, including what triggers it, how inhalers help, and lifestyle modifications.”
Follow-Up Messages & Appointment Reminders
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Prompt: “Draft a follow-up message for a patient who recently had [treatment/procedure], checking on their recovery and reminding them of their next appointment.”
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Example Use: AI automates personalized communication to improve patient engagement.
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Real Use Case: A clinic following up with a patient post-knee replacement can use: “Draft a follow-up message for a 65-year-old patient post-total knee replacement, asking about pain levels, mobility progress, and reminding them of their physiotherapy session next Tuesday.”
4. AI Prompts for Administrative Efficiency
Handling Medical Emails & Reports
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Prompt: “Draft a professional email responding to a patient inquiry about their lab results, reassuring them and explaining the next steps.”
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Example Use: AI helps craft professional, empathetic responses quickly.
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Real Use Case: A doctor responding to abnormal thyroid function tests can use: “Draft an email for a patient whose TSH levels are elevated, reassuring them and advising further testing for hypothyroidism.”
Summarizing Long Reports
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Prompt: “Summarize this 10-page clinical report into key points, focusing on important findings and recommendations.”
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Example Use: AI extracts the most relevant details for faster decision-making.
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Real Use Case: A hospital administrator summarizing a quality improvement report can ask: “Summarize the main findings of the hospital’s annual patient safety report, highlighting key areas of improvement and action steps.”
5. AI Prompts for Clinical Decision Support
Generating Differential Diagnoses
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Prompt: “Given a patient presenting with [symptoms], list possible differential diagnoses and their likelihood based on clinical evidence.”
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Example Use: AI assists in broadening diagnostic considerations for complex cases.
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Real Use Case: An ER doctor evaluating a 40-year-old man with chest pain can use: “List differential diagnoses for a 40-year-old male presenting with left-sided chest pain, radiating to the jaw, with mild nausea. Include cardiac and non-cardiac causes.”
Treatment Plan Suggestions
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Prompt: “Provide evidence-based treatment options for a patient diagnosed with [condition], considering latest clinical guidelines.”
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Example Use: AI presents a range of treatment pathways for physician review.
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Real Use Case: A neurologist managing a newly diagnosed Parkinson’s patient can ask: “Provide treatment recommendations for a 68-year-old male with early-stage Parkinson’s disease, considering medication and non-pharmacological approaches.”
Conclusion:
AI is Here to Assist, Not Replace
AI-powered assistants can save doctors valuable time, reduce burnout, and enhance efficiency in clinical workflows. These prompts serve as a starting point to integrate AI into your practice. For a fully automated AI documentation solution, explore Medozai’s AI-powered platform.
Treatment Plan Suggestions
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Prompt: “Provide evidence-based treatment options for a patient diagnosed with [condition], considering latest clinical guidelines.”
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Example Use: AI presents a range of treatment pathways for physician review.
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Real Use Case: A neurologist managing a newly diagnosed Parkinson’s patient can ask: “Provide treatment recommendations for a 68-year-old male with early-stage Parkinson’s disease, considering medication and non-pharmacological approaches.”