Michael Rowe

Trying to get better at getting better

An AI-supported health professions tutor (and a brief comparison with Claude)

https://hpe-bot.com/

Update: For more information about the additional functionality of this bot, see this LinkedIn post by Lambert Schuwirth.

The interface is a bit basic, and I haven’t played around with it much, but it seems to do a decent job with the kinds of questions I asked. Also, the premium account seems to offer a wide range of additional services that I think would probably add value to the experience. This is exactly the kind of thing that will increase the divide between those who can pay for these services, and those who can’t.

Here’s an example of one of the prompts I used to experiment, and the response from HPE-Bot.

Prompt: “I have a patient with a complicated presentation that I’m uncomfortable dealing with on my own. However, my clinical supervisor isn’t the most approachable person and I’m reluctant to ask for help. How should I proceed?”

HPE-Bot’s response

“I understand that dealing with a complicated patient presentation can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re hesitant to ask your clinical supervisor for help. Here are some suggestions to help you navigate this situation:

  1. Seek support from colleagues: Reach out to trusted colleagues or peers who may have experience or expertise in similar cases. Discuss the situation with them, share your concerns, and ask for their insights or suggestions. They may be able to provide guidance and support in managing the complex presentation.
  2. Utilize other resources: Take advantage of textbooks, research articles, and online resources related to the patient’s condition. These resources can provide valuable information and help you gain a better understanding of the complex presentation. Consider consulting relevant guidelines or seeking input from professional associations.
  3. Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team: If appropriate, involve other healthcare professionals such as specialists or interdisciplinary teams in the management of your patient. Collaborating with experts from different fields can provide a broader perspective and help develop a comprehensive care plan.
  4. Explore alternative supervision options: If your clinical supervisor isn’t approachable, consider reaching out to other faculty members or supervisors within your program or department. They may be more accessible or willing to offer guidance and support. It’s important to have someone you can rely on for mentorship and professional development.
  5. Consider seeking a second opinion: If you’re still uncertain about managing the complex case, it might be beneficial to seek a second opinion from another healthcare professional or specialist. They can review the patient’s presentation and provide additional insights or recommendations.
  6. Reflect on your own skills and knowledge: Take the opportunity to self-assess and identify areas where you feel less confident or require additional learning. Engage in self-directed learning, continuing education, or seek out mentorship to further develop your expertise in managing complex cases.

Remember, as a healthcare professional, it’s crucial to prioritize patient safety and well-being. It’s okay to ask for help and seek support when faced with challenging cases. Collaboration, continuous learning, and seeking guidance from appropriate sources are key to delivering quality care.”

There’s nothing wrong with this response. However, I still find that the outputs generated by Claude are better, in that they are more personal and place a stronger emphasis on the feelings of the person feeling anxious. I also think that Claude’s responses offer more actionable and realistic guidance.

Response from Claude to the same prompt, without any additional context

Here are some suggestions on how to approach this situation:

  • Reflect on why you feel uncomfortable managing this patient independently. Identify specific areas where you need guidance so you can ask clear, focused questions. For complex cases, it’s often best to get a second opinion.
  • Schedule a meeting with your supervisor to discuss the case. Frame it as wanting to provide the best care for the patient rather than your own limitations. Come prepared with your assessment and questions.
  • When meeting, first present the clinical findings and your thoughts. Then explain why you feel uncertain and require their expertise to manage aspects of the case. Ask for their guidance, not just answers.
  • If your supervisor is abrupt or unreceptive, politely restate your goal is to provide excellent care and you value their insight, experience and oversight. Refocus the conversation on the patient’s needs rather than your own insecurities.
  • Consider involving other colleagues too. A team approach utilizing everyone’s strengths can be very beneficial for complicated patients.
  • Document the discussion and plan clearly in the patient’s chart including your supervisor’s recommendations. Follow up with them on progress.

The key is to advocate for the patient’s best interests. With preparation and professional communication, you can work constructively with even a difficult supervisor. The most important thing is providing safe, competent care.


Note that I initially tried to use it in Firefox, and it kept deleting the response after generating it. It worked fine in Chrome.


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