What if you could give your students access to hundreds of realistic patient records—without ever risking patient privacy? That's exactly what Jen Ethier has done, harnessing the power of AI to revolutionize health data management education at Georgian College. 

From Scarcity to Abundance with AI-Generated Data

In the past, Jen faced significant challenges providing realistic case studies. She either created her own cases from scratch—a labour-intensive, time-consuming process—or relied on limited textbook examples that lacked variety and real-world complexity.

Now, thanks to AI, Jen uses tools like ChatGPT to generate simulated medical records. By uploading a sample operative report, she prompts the AI to create multiple anonymized versions: progress notes, medical histories, operative reports—suddenly, her database is rich with diverse, realistic scenarios for students to explore.

To add even more realism, Jen integrates local census data from Simcoe County. This includes demographics and common medical conditions that reflect the community where many students will eventually work. Students now encounter patient scenarios that mirror the real workplace and placements they’ll experience. 

Tailoring Case Studies to Match Curriculum

Jen doesn’t stop at generic cases. She leverages AI’s adaptability to:

• Align case studies with specific course objectives
• Connect content across multiple classes
• Reinforce a holistic understanding of patient care

For example:

Anatomy and Pathology Integration

AI incorporates conditions and pathologies learned in anatomy courses, linking this knowledge directly to operative reports and medical histories. Students can see how medical conditions evolve and how they are documented in patient charts, operative reports, and follow-up care documentation.

Through these comprehensive simulations, students gain valuable, hands-on experience while practicing EMR protocols in a controlled, realistic setting.

One of Jen's recent AI applications includes generating patient scenarios that explore preventative care needs, based on age, gender, and lifestyle. Students then determine which preventative screenings and health reminders are appropriate for each patient, building critical thinking and reinforcing preventative care protocols—a key skill for any future health office professional.

"The real power is in the prompts," Jen explains. She works iteratively with ChatGPT until each case study aligns perfectly with her learning objectives. 

Personalizing AI for Professional Context

Taking it a step further, Jen creates a personalized AI profile using the paid version of ChatGPT. Faculty can do the same to:

• Tailor AI responses to their specific subject area
• Reflect their teaching style, ethical priorities, and curriculum standards
• Save time while generating highly relevant teaching content

Ethical Use Meets Innovative Pedagogy 

By generating simulated data, Jen offers her students practical, real-world experience while fully respecting patient confidentiality. It’s a shining example of ethical AI use in education—preparing students for clinical realities, while fostering critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and workplace readiness.

Ready to explore AI in your teaching practice?

The Centre for Teaching and Learning offers workshops, resources, and 1:1 consultations to help you confidently integrate AI into your classroom.

📧 Contact us at ctl@georgiancollege.ca to get started.
🖥️ Visit our Artificial Intelligence in Teaching page for guides, sample activities, and more.

Online Self-paced course: Generative AI Foundations for Faculty **New Winter 2025**