Generative AI can act like a virtual assistant for physicians, helping with documentation, patient education, research summaries, and even communication. The key to unlocking its value is in how you phrase your prompts—adding context, persona, and intent ensures the outputs are useful in a clinical setting.
Here are five detailed prompts that doctors can try in their daily practice.
Prompt: "You are a clinical scribe for a busy internal medicine physician. Convert the following raw consultation notes into a structured SOAP note. Make sure the ‘Assessment’ includes a clear working diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and the ‘Plan’ outlines follow-up tests, treatments, and lifestyle advice. Keep the tone professional and suitable for inclusion in an electronic medical record."
How it helps: Acts like a digital scribe, instantly transforming rough notes into polished documentation.
Prompt: "You are a family physician preparing patient-friendly educational material. Create a clear, 250-word explanation of hypertension for a 45-year-old office worker with limited medical knowledge. Use simple analogies (e.g., blood vessels as pipes), highlight why untreated high blood pressure is dangerous, and suggest 3 easy lifestyle changes the patient can start immediately. Write it as if you’re talking directly to the patient in a compassionate, reassuring tone."
How it helps: Simplifies complex topics, improves adherence, and strengthens trust.
Prompt: "You are a clinical researcher briefing a practicing endocrinologist. Summarize the most recent 2025 ADA and EASD guidelines on diabetes management. Highlight what has changed compared to the 2023 version, especially in first-line therapy and technology adoption (e.g., CGM, insulin pumps). Present the information in bullet points with clinical takeaways for a busy physician who only has 2 minutes to review."
How it helps: Provides quick, digestible updates tailored to time-pressed doctors.
Prompt: "You are a senior pulmonologist advising a general practitioner. Provide a list of 5 evidence-based treatment options for moderate persistent asthma in adults. For each option, include: (1) the treatment name, (2) mechanism of action, (3) pros and cons, and (4) when it is most suitable. Present the information in a concise table format that can be used during a patient consultation."
How it helps: Acts like a quick reference guide, supporting safe, evidence-based choices.
Prompt: "You are a physician who values empathy in communication. Draft a short message (150 words) for a patient who missed their follow-up appointment. Use a caring, motivational tone that emphasizes the importance of continuity of care, reassures them about the next steps, and invites them to reschedule without guilt. Keep it professional but warm, as if you are writing directly to the patient."
How it helps: Saves time while preserving the human touch in patient relationships.
AI is most powerful when used as a partner, not a replacement. With carefully designed prompts, physicians can reduce administrative burden, enhance communication, and stay current—freeing up more time to do what matters most: healing.
👉 Which of these 5 prompts do you find most useful for your daily practice? And do you have a favorite AI prompt that you’d recommend to fellow physicians?
