Physicians are among the most educated professionals in any workforce. You spend a decade training to diagnose and treat — and then spend a significant portion of your career writing prior authorization letters, patient education summaries, referral notes, and documentation that exists to satisfy administrative requirements rather than serve patient care.
ChatGPT doesn't make clinical decisions. It doesn't replace your judgment, your training, or your relationship with your patients. What it does is eliminate the blank page problem for the writing that surrounds your clinical work — the letters, the summaries, the explanations, the documentation.
These 35 prompts are built for practicing physicians across specialties. Not medical students, not researchers — physicians doing the day-to-day work of patient care, practice management, and professional communication.
Privacy note: Never input patient identifiers into AI tools. Use de-identified descriptions and placeholder demographics throughout.
Clinical Documentation
Prompt 1 — Structure a SOAP note
Write a SOAP note framework for the following visit. Chief complaint: [describe]. Subjective: [summarize patient's reported symptoms, history of present illness, pertinent positives and negatives as reported by patient]. Objective: [vital signs, physical exam findings, relevant labs or imaging — describe]. Assessment: [working diagnosis or differential]. Plan: [medications, orders, referrals, follow-up, patient education provided]. Format as a clean SOAP note appropriate for the medical record. Use professional clinical language.
Prompt 2 — Write a discharge summary
Write a hospital discharge summary for a patient with the following hospitalization. Admission date and reason: [describe]. Hospital course: [summarize key events — procedures, consultations, significant findings, complications if any]. Discharge diagnosis: [list]. Medications at discharge: [list with doses and instructions]. Follow-up: [appointments, labs, referrals needed]. Patient instructions: [what they should do, what to watch for, when to return to ED]. Format for the medical record and for transmission to the primary care physician.
Prompt 3 — Write a problem-oriented progress note
Write a brief progress note for a patient with the following active problems being addressed today. Patient context (de-identified): [age range, relevant comorbidities]. Problems addressed: [list each problem]. For each problem: subjective update, objective findings today, assessment of current status, and plan changes. Keep it concise — this is a daily progress note, not a comprehensive H&P. Clinical language appropriate for the medical record.
Prompt 4 — Write a procedure note
Write a procedure note for the following procedure performed today. Procedure: [name]. Indication: [why it was done]. Informed consent: [obtained from patient / guardian]. Operator: [attending performing]. Patient position: [describe]. Anesthesia: [local / sedation / none]. Technique: [describe the procedure step by step]. Findings: [what was observed]. Specimens: [sent / not sent — describe]. Complications: [none / describe]. Post-procedure condition: [stable / transferred to recovery / etc.]. Patient tolerated the procedure [well / note any issues].
Prompt 5 — Write an operative dictation outline
Create an operative dictation outline for the following procedure. Procedure: [name]. Patient (de-identified): [age range, relevant history]. Surgeon: [attending + any residents]. Anesthesia type: [general / regional / local / MAC]. Indication: [reason for surgery]. Findings: [intraoperative findings]. Procedure performed: [step-by-step description]. Estimated blood loss: [amount]. Fluids: [in/out]. Specimens: [sent to pathology / describe]. Complications: [none / describe]. Disposition: [to recovery / ICU / etc.]. Condition: [stable].
Prior Authorization and Insurance
Prompt 6 — Write a prior authorization letter
Write a prior authorization letter to an insurance company for the following request. Patient (de-identified): [age range, diagnosis]. Requested treatment/medication/procedure: [name]. Clinical indication: [why this patient needs this specific treatment]. What has been tried and failed: [prior treatments, medications, or alternatives that were inadequate — describe with duration and response]. Supporting evidence: [guidelines, studies, or clinical rationale that support this request]. Urgency: [routine / urgent — explain if urgent]. Format for submission to a commercial insurer's medical review department.
Prompt 7 — Write a prior auth appeal letter
Write a prior authorization appeal letter for a denied request. Original request: [treatment/medication denied]. Denial reason given: [what the insurer stated]. Why the denial is inappropriate: [clinical argument — address their specific denial reason]. Evidence supporting medical necessity: [cite guidelines, studies, patient-specific factors]. Patient impact of continued denial: [clinical consequences of not receiving this treatment]. Request: [overturn the denial and approve the requested treatment]. Professional, factual, and direct — appeals that succeed address the denial reason specifically.
Prompt 8 — Write a letter of medical necessity
Write a letter of medical necessity for the following situation. Patient (de-identified): [age range, diagnosis, functional status]. Item or service requested: [durable medical equipment, home health, treatment, medication — describe]. Why it is medically necessary: [clinical justification — diagnosis, functional limitations, how this item addresses the clinical need]. Why alternatives are inadequate: [if applicable]. Prognosis without this service: [describe]. Expected outcome with it: [describe]. Format for submission to insurance, DME supplier, or government program.
Patient Communication and Education
Prompt 9 — Write a patient education summary
Write a patient education summary for a patient who was just diagnosed with [condition]. Patient profile: [age range, relevant health literacy level if known]. Cover: what this diagnosis means in plain language, what caused it or what risk factors contributed, what treatment involves and what to expect, what lifestyle changes are recommended, warning signs to watch for, and when to follow up. No medical jargon — write as if you're explaining to someone who has never heard of this condition before.
Prompt 10 — Write after-visit instructions
Write after-visit instructions for a patient following [visit type — new diagnosis, procedure, medication change, hospitalization]. Instructions should cover: what was done or decided today, medications (what's new, what's changed, what to stop), activity restrictions, diet or lifestyle instructions, follow-up appointment (when and with whom), symptoms that warrant calling the office, and symptoms that require going to the emergency department. Under 300 words. Clear enough to read when anxious at home.
Prompt 11 — Explain a diagnosis to a patient in writing
Write a patient-friendly explanation of [diagnosis] for a letter or patient portal message. Explain: what the condition is, what it means for this patient's daily life, what the treatment plan involves, what success looks like, and what the patient can do to help. Tone: clear, warm, direct. Not condescending. Address common fears about this diagnosis if relevant (e.g., "This is not cancer" or "Most people with this condition live normal lives"). Length: suitable for a patient portal message — under 400 words.
Prompt 12 — Write a medication explanation
Write a patient-friendly explanation of why I'm prescribing [medication]. Cover: what the medication does, why I'm prescribing it for this patient's specific situation, how to take it, what to expect (when it starts working, what improvement looks like), common side effects and how to manage them, serious side effects that require calling the office, and what to avoid (interactions, foods, activities). Format for a written handout or patient portal message.
Referral Letters and Professional Communication
Prompt 13 — Write a referral letter to a specialist
Write a referral letter to a [specialty] physician. Patient (de-identified): [age range, relevant medical history]. Reason for referral: [primary question or concern]. Relevant history: [pertinent positives, prior workup, relevant diagnoses]. Current medications: [list key ones]. What has been done so far: [workup completed, treatments tried]. Specific question for the consultant: [what you want them to address]. Urgency: [routine / soon / urgent — specify]. Professional and concise — specialists read hundreds of referrals and appreciate clear clinical questions.
Prompt 14 — Write a consultation response note
Write a consultation response note for the following case. Requesting physician: [specialty]. Patient (de-identified): [age range, relevant history]. Consulting question: [what was asked]. My findings: [pertinent history, physical exam, review of records]. Assessment: [my clinical interpretation]. Recommendations: [specific — what I advise, including any additional workup, treatment recommendations, follow-up plan]. Who will follow the patient for this issue going forward: [consultant will follow / return to primary team / co-management]. Professional and specific — vague consult notes create follow-up phone calls.
Prompt 15 — Write a transfer summary
Write a patient transfer summary for a patient being transferred to [hospital / higher level of care / rehabilitation facility / skilled nursing facility]. Patient (de-identified): [age range, primary diagnosis, relevant comorbidities]. Reason for transfer: [what necessitated the transfer]. Hospital course summary: [key events during this admission]. Current status: [vital signs trend, mental status, functional status]. Active issues: [list with current management]. Pending items: [labs, imaging, procedures, consultations outstanding]. Medications: [current list]. Code status: [full / DNR / DNI — specify]. Contact: [referring physician information].
Administrative and Practice Communication
Prompt 16 — Write a response to a patient complaint
Write a professional response to the following patient complaint: [describe the complaint — wait time, communication issue, billing concern, concern about care received]. Tone: empathetic, professional, non-defensive. Acknowledge the patient's experience, explain the context (without being dismissive), and offer a concrete next step or resolution. This response may be shared with the patient and potentially reviewed by risk management.
Prompt 17 — Write a performance review for a resident or fellow
Write a performance evaluation for a resident/fellow in my program. Rotation: [specialty, duration]. Trainee (de-identified): [year of training]. Competency domains: [medical knowledge, patient care, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, practice-based learning, systems-based practice — rate and comment on each]. Specific strengths observed: [describe with examples]. Areas for improvement: [describe with specific and constructive feedback]. Overall assessment: [meets / exceeds / below expectations for this training level]. Recommended focus for next rotation: [describe].
Prompt 18 — Write a peer reference letter
Write a professional reference letter for a colleague applying for [position — faculty role, fellowship, hospital privileges, licensing board]. My relationship: [how I know them and for how long]. Clinical skills: [specific observations of their clinical competence]. Professionalism and character: [how they conduct themselves with patients, staff, and colleagues]. Specific example that illustrates their strength: [describe a concrete situation]. My recommendation: [strong / enthusiastic — be specific]. Format for a formal professional reference.
Prompt 19 — Write a response to a medical board inquiry
[Use this as a framework only — always involve legal counsel for actual board responses.] Draft a factual chronological summary of the following clinical encounter for review purposes. Date and setting: [describe]. Patient presentation (de-identified): [chief complaint, relevant history]. Clinical decision-making: [what was assessed, what was considered, what was done and why]. Standard of care context: [how the approach aligns with accepted practice]. Outcome: [what happened subsequently]. Present as objective clinical narrative, without admission of liability. Note: review with legal counsel before submission.
Physician Wellness and Career
Prompt 20 — Write a reflection after a difficult case
Help me process a difficult clinical case through structured reflection. Situation: [describe the case — what happened, the outcome]. What went well clinically: [describe]. What I would consider doing differently: [honest reflection, without self-flagellation]. What this case taught me: [clinical lesson]. What I need to process emotionally: [describe feelings if relevant — grief, frustration, second-guessing]. What I will do to take care of myself this week: [one concrete action]. Format as a private journal-style reflection — not for the medical record.
Prompt 21 — Write a personal statement for a leadership application
Write a personal statement for a physician applying for [medical director role / department chair / CMO position / fellowship program leadership / other]. My background: [specialty, years of experience, key leadership experiences]. What drives me to lead: [genuine motivation — not generic]. A specific challenge I've navigated and what I learned: [concrete example]. My leadership philosophy: [how I think about leading teams, making decisions under uncertainty, balancing clinical and administrative demands]. What I would bring to this role specifically: [tailored to the position]. Under 600 words. Personal and specific — not a CV in prose form.
Prompt 22 — Write a CME reflection or learning plan
Write a continuing medical education learning plan for the coming year. My specialty: [name]. Practice setting: [academic / community / employed group / private]. Identified knowledge gaps: [describe 2-3 areas where I feel less confident or where my practice is evolving]. Learning format preferences: [conferences, online modules, journal clubs, point-of-care resources]. Learning goals: [specific, one per gap — what I want to be able to do differently or better]. How I'll apply what I learn: [concrete practice changes]. Format for a MOC portfolio or self-directed CME record.
Quality Improvement and Systems
Prompt 23 — Write a QI project proposal
Write a quality improvement project proposal for the following initiative. Problem identified: [describe the gap — measure, benchmark if available]. Why it matters: [patient outcomes, safety, efficiency, cost impact]. Proposed intervention: [describe what you want to change or implement]. Measurement plan: [what metric will improve, how you'll track it, over what timeframe]. Team needed: [who needs to be involved]. Resources required: [time, budget, IT, staff]. Expected outcome: [what improvement looks like]. Format for submission to a QI committee or department chair.
Prompt 24 — Write a morbidity and mortality conference presentation
Write an M&M conference case presentation outline for the following case (de-identified). Case summary: [describe the clinical situation and outcome]. Timeline of events: [key decision points chronologically]. Factors that contributed to the outcome: [system factors, communication gaps, clinical decision-making]. What went well: [aspects of care that were appropriate or protective]. Lessons learned: [specific, actionable takeaways for the team]. Proposed changes: [process improvements, protocol additions, or communication changes]. Format for a structured educational M&M presentation — blame-free, systems-focused.
Prompt 25 — Write a clinical protocol or order set rationale
Write a rationale document for a proposed clinical protocol or order set. Protocol: [describe what it standardizes]. Clinical problem it addresses: [what variation or gap currently exists]. Evidence base: [key guidelines or studies that support this approach]. What the protocol includes: [key components]. Expected outcomes: [what it will improve — safety, efficiency, consistency]. Implementation considerations: [training needed, EHR build, workflow changes]. How compliance will be monitored: [describe]. Format for review by a clinical practice committee.
Teaching and Academic Medicine
Prompt 26 — Write a teaching case presentation
Write a teaching case for medical students or residents. Case (de-identified): [age range, presentation]. Format: [classic case presentation with teaching questions — HPI, physical exam, initial workup, then teaching discussion]. Teaching objectives: [2-3 specific learning points]. Discussion questions at each decision point: [what would you do next and why?]. Teaching pearls: [key clinical insights this case illustrates]. Common pitfalls: [mistakes learners make with this presentation]. Format for use in a teaching conference or bedside rounds.
Prompt 27 — Write feedback for a medical student
Write formative feedback for a medical student completing a clerkship rotation. Student (de-identified). Rotation: [specialty, duration]. Strengths observed: [specific behaviors — history taking, physical exam, case presentation, professionalism, fund of knowledge — with examples]. Areas for growth: [specific and behavioral, not global — e.g., "presentations would benefit from organizing the assessment by system rather than chronologically" not "presentations need work"]. One concrete recommendation for the next rotation: [actionable advice]. Overall impression: [strong / meets expectations / needs attention — with context].
Prompt 28 — Write a lecture or grand rounds abstract
Write an abstract for a grand rounds or educational conference presentation. Topic: [title and subject]. Purpose: [what the audience will learn]. Background: [why this topic matters now — clinical relevance, recent evidence, practice change]. Content outline: [3-4 key points to be covered]. Teaching method: [didactic / case-based / interactive — describe]. Learning objectives: [2-3]. Target audience: [residents, attendings, multidisciplinary]. Under 250 words. Format for conference submission.
Professional Development
Prompt 29 — Write a grant application specific aims page
Write a specific aims page for a research grant application. Study question: [describe the clinical or scientific question]. Significance: [why this matters — gap in knowledge, clinical impact]. Innovation: [what's new about this approach]. Preliminary data: [what you already have that supports feasibility — describe]. Aim 1: [hypothesis + proposed approach]. Aim 2: [hypothesis + proposed approach]. Aim 3: [if applicable]. Expected outcomes: [what you'll produce]. Impact: [how this will advance the field]. Target: [NIH R01 / K award / foundation grant — specify]. Under 600 words. Clear, logical, and tight — reviewers read dozens.
Prompt 30 — Write a journal submission cover letter
Write a cover letter for submitting a manuscript to [journal name]. Manuscript title: [title]. What the study found: [1-2 sentence summary of key findings]. Why it's appropriate for this journal: [specific — what section, what readership, why it fits this journal's scope]. Why it matters: [clinical or scientific significance]. No prior publication: [confirm it hasn't been published elsewhere]. Authors: [list]. Corresponding author contact: [placeholder]. Professional, concise — under 250 words. Journal editors read many cover letters; get to the point.
Prompt 31 — Write a negotiation talking points memo
Write a negotiation preparation memo for a physician contract negotiation. My position: [current role, specialty, years of experience, RVU productivity]. What I'm negotiating: [salary / call schedule / protected time / bonus structure / tail coverage / other — describe]. My market research: [what comparable positions pay in this market — list sources if available]. My strongest leverage points: [what makes me valuable — patient volume, referral network, subspecialty skills, research, leadership]. My walk-away position: [minimum acceptable terms — keep this private, but clarify for yourself]. Opening ask: [what I'll propose first]. Format as a private prep document.
Difficult Conversations
Prompt 32 — Write a script for a goals of care conversation
Write a framework script for a goals of care conversation with a patient who has [serious illness — describe]. Patient context (de-identified): [age range, illness, prognosis]. Setting: [inpatient / outpatient]. What I know about the patient's values and priorities: [describe if known]. Key topics to cover: [understanding of illness, what they're hoping for, what they're worried about, tradeoffs of different treatment paths, what matters most to them in daily life]. How to open the conversation: [first 2-3 sentences]. Key questions to ask: [list 4-5]. How to handle the silence after a difficult disclosure: [what to say]. This is a framework for preparation — the actual conversation will be responsive.
Prompt 33 — Write a script for delivering a serious diagnosis
Write a preparation framework for delivering a serious diagnosis (e.g., cancer, ALS, terminal illness). Patient (de-identified): [age range, relationship context — has family present, lives alone, etc.]. Diagnosis to deliver: [describe]. Setting: [clinic / inpatient / video visit]. Key elements to include: [direct disclosure, pause for reaction, assess understanding, address immediate concerns, outline next steps]. What NOT to do: [bury the diagnosis, use jargon, rush to management before patient has absorbed the news]. Opening statement: [how to begin — direct but compassionate]. What to have ready: [tissues, time, next appointment scheduled before they leave].
Prompt 34 — Write a response to a patient who refuses recommended treatment
Write documentation language and a framework for responding to a patient who is refusing recommended treatment. Diagnosis: [describe]. Treatment being refused: [what and why it's recommended]. Patient's stated reason for refusal: [describe]. What I need to document: [informed refusal — that I explained the risks of declining, the patient understands, and is making an autonomous decision]. What I'll offer instead: [alternative options or monitoring plan]. When to escalate: [circumstances under which I'd revisit the conversation]. Format for the medical record and as a communication guide.
Prompt 35 — Write talking points for a family meeting
Write preparation talking points for a family meeting about a patient's care. Patient (de-identified): [age range, diagnosis, current status]. Family members present: [describe roles and any known dynamics]. Purpose of the meeting: [update on condition / goals of care / transition planning / other]. Key clinical information to convey: [what they need to understand]. Questions they're likely to ask: [anticipate 3-4 and prepare responses]. What I need from them: [decisions, information, support]. How to handle conflict between family members: [brief guidance]. How to close the meeting: [summarize decisions, confirm next steps, leave door open].
Getting the Most From These Prompts
Always de-identify. Replace every patient identifier with a de-identified placeholder before entering anything into an AI tool. Follow your institution's privacy policies.
AI output requires physician review. Every clinical document generated with AI assistance must be reviewed and attested to by the physician. AI is a drafting tool — your judgment and accountability remain unchanged.
Adapt to your specialty and institution. These prompts are starting frameworks. Medical documentation varies by specialty, institution, payer, and jurisdiction. Tailor to your context.
The Complete Physician AI Toolkit
These 35 prompts cover the full physician workflow. If you want the complete system — prior authorization templates by common denial type, procedure-specific documentation frameworks, patient education libraries by diagnosis category, referral letter templates by specialty, and a complete practice communication library — the Physician AI Toolkit has everything organized.
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