AI Functions & Prompt Engineering
You don't need to become an AI expert. You need to get clearer about your own work.
The MAP process
Map the workflow. Add the context AI doesn't have. Prompt with intent. The sections below walk through each step — the worksheet is the same one-pager from the session.
MAP Worksheet · Session 2 Handout
Map · Add context · Prompt. Printable or fill on screen.
Is AI even the right tool?
Ask in this order. Most "AI use cases" are actually one of the first three.
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Eliminate it.
Nobody needs it anymore.
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Simplify it.
Better template, different routing, pre-filled form.
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Automate without AI.
Scheduled email, shared inbox, checklist.
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Then — should AI do this?
If 1–3 don't solve it, AI comes into the picture.
One more question before you pick a tool
Does your AI policy cover this tool and this data? 12 Things Your Public Health AI Policy Needs →
Want the full method? Process Map Training — free 45-min on-demand training.
Without context, AI gives the average answer. With context, AI gives your answer — one that fits your department, your protocol, your community. Three pieces carry the weight:
Documents
Your CD protocol, food code, CHA, style guide.Role
"Act as our CD program coordinator at a county of 80,000."Constraints
"No medical jargon." "Under 200 words." "Don't speculate."Custom Instructions, Projects, and PH360 custom agents all save these three pieces so you don't re-type them. PH360 also enforces your policy and jurisdiction at the platform layer.
Leverage the APE framework
| Letter | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A — Action | The verb. What you want done. | Draft. Summarize. Compare. Rewrite. Translate. Extract. |
| P — Purpose | Why. Who it's for. What "good" looks like. | "So my CD director can decide whether to escalate." |
| E — Expectation | Length, tone, format, what to include or skip. | "Under 400 words, professional but warm, three action items." |
Two polish moves
Ask it to ask you. Type: "Before you draft this, ask me up to 5 clarifying questions." Answer them. Then let it draft.
Tell it what's wrong. "Too long." "Too formal." AI doesn't get its feelings hurt.
The gap most LHDs hit
Free tools can't touch your daily work. Enterprise tools don't know what a CD investigation looks like. Sauk County, WI used PH360 to cut workload on one investigation type by 83%.
Keep going
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New to AI in public health
AI for Public Health Glossary →
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Map more workflows
Process Map Training →
Free 45-min on-demand training. NNPHI-supported.
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Building an AI policy
Public Health AI Policy Template →
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Monthly company
AI Community of Practice →
Free, monthly, vendor-neutral.
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See PH360 with your data
Explore PH360 → · Book 30 minutes →
