What Problem This Solves

You write a prompt, hit enter, and the output is… almost right. Maybe it is too long, too technical, or missing a key detail. What now? Do you start over? Rewrite the entire prompt?

Most doctors abandon prompts that do not work perfectly on the first try. This wastes time and creates frustration. The truth is: getting it right on the first attempt is rare—and unnecessary.

Iteration is not failure. It is the fastest path to a perfect output. Just as you refine a diagnosis with additional history and tests, you refine AI outputs with follow-up prompts. A rough V1 becomes a solid V2, and then a polished V3—often in under two minutes.

This article teaches you the iteration commands that turn “almost useful” into “exactly what I needed.”

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How to Do It (Steps)

Step 1: Accept that V1 is a Draft

Your first prompt output is a starting point, not a final product. Read it with the mindset: “What needs to change?”

Step 2: Identify the Gap

Ask yourself:

• Is it too long or too short?
• Is the language too complex for my patient?
• Is a key detail missing or wrong?
• Is the tone inappropriate (too casual, too formal)?
• Does it need translation or simplification?

Step 3: Use a Single, Clear Iteration Command

Do not rewrite your entire prompt. Instead, give a short follow-up instruction that addresses the specific gap. The AI remembers the context from your previous exchange.

Step 4: Repeat Until Satisfied (Usually 2-3 Iterations)

Most outputs reach “clinic-ready” quality within 2-3 refinements. If you need more than 5 iterations, your original prompt may need restructuring (see Article B1 for the 5-part prompt formula).

Step 5: Save Your Final Version

Once you have a polished output, save the entire prompt chain (original + iterations) in your prompt library for reuse.

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Example Prompts (with V1 to V3 Demonstration)

Example 1: Simplifying Patient Instructions

Original Prompt (V1):

Explain post-angioplasty care instructions for a patient.

V1 Output (Too Technical): “Following percutaneous coronary intervention, patients should maintain dual antiplatelet therapy as prescribed, monitor for signs of access site complications including hematoma formation, and gradually resume physical activity per cardiac rehabilitation protocols…”

Iteration Command (V2):

Make it simpler for a patient with 8th standard education. Use everyday Hindi-English mix that Indian patients use.

V2 Output (Better, but Long): “Angioplasty ke baad, aapko apni dawai roz leni hai—khaaskar blood thinners. Jahan needle lagi thi wahan agar sujan, dard, ya bleeding ho toh turant doctor ko batao. Dheere-dheere chalna shuru karo, bhaari kaam mat karo 1 hafte tak…”

Iteration Command (V3):

Shorten to 5 bullet points only. Keep the most critical safety points.

V3 Output (Clinic-Ready):

• Dawai roz leni hai, ek bhi dose mat chhodna
• Injection wali jagah pe sujan ya bleeding ho toh turant batao
• 1 hafte tak bhaari kaam mat karo
• Seene mein dard ya sans phoolna ho toh emergency mein aao
• Follow-up date pe zaroor aana

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Example 2: Adding Missing Details

Original Prompt (V1):

Write a diabetes diet plan for an Indian vegetarian patient.

V1 Output: A generic diet plan with no portion sizes or meal timing.

Iteration Command (V2):

Add specific portion sizes in katori/cup measurements and include timing for each meal.

V2 Output: Now includes “1 katori dal” and “breakfast at 8 AM” details.

Iteration Command (V3):

Add a section on what to avoid during festivals like Diwali, and include one affordable protein option for each meal.

V3 Output (Clinic-Ready): Complete with festival guidance and budget-friendly options like sprouts, curd, and chana.

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Example 3: Changing Tone

Original Prompt:

Write a message to a patient who missed their follow-up appointment.

V1 Output (Too Formal): “Dear Patient, We regret to inform you that you failed to attend your scheduled appointment. Please contact the clinic immediately to reschedule…”

Iteration Command (V2):

Rewrite in a warmer, caring tone. This patient has anxiety about medical visits.

V2 Output (Clinic-Ready): “Hello! We noticed you could not make it to your appointment yesterday. No problem at all—we understand these things happen. Whenever you are ready, just call us to reschedule. We are here to help, not to judge. Take care!”

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Bad Prompt to Improved Prompt

Bad Approach: Starting Over

When V1 is not right, many doctors delete everything and try a completely new prompt:

First attempt:

Write discharge instructions for a patient after appendectomy.

Output is too long and technical.

Bad response: Delete and write an entirely new prompt from scratch.

Improved Approach: Iterate on What You Have

First attempt:

Write discharge instructions for a patient after appendectomy.

Output is too long and technical.

Good response: Keep the conversation going with iteration commands:

Shorten this by 50% while keeping all safety warnings.

V2 is shorter but still uses medical jargon.

Replace medical terms with simple Hindi-English explanations a village patient would understand.

V3 is now clinic-ready.

Why this works: You spent 30 seconds on two follow-up commands instead of 3 minutes rewriting the entire prompt.

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Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Giving Vague Iteration Commands

• Wrong: “Make it better”
• Right: “Make it shorter” or “Make the tone warmer” or “Add dosing times”

Be specific about what “better” means to you.

Mistake 2: Changing Too Many Things at Once

• Wrong: “Make it shorter, add Hindi, change the format to bullets, and include a warning section”
• Right: Do one change at a time so you can see what works.

Mistake 3: Expecting Perfection in One Iteration

Give the AI 2-3 chances. Each iteration gets you closer.

Mistake 4: Not Saving Successful Iterations

When you finally get a great output, save the full prompt chain. Next time, you can start with a better original prompt.

Mistake 5: Iterating Forever

If you are on iteration 6 or 7, stop. Your original prompt structure needs fixing—go back to the 5-part formula (Article B1).

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Clinic-Ready Templates

Template 1: Simplification Iteration

Make this simpler for a patient with [EDUCATION LEVEL] education.
Use short sentences and common words only.

Template 2: Length Control Iteration

Shorten this by [PERCENTAGE]% while keeping [KEY ELEMENTS TO PRESERVE].

Template 3: Language Conversion Iteration

Convert this to [TARGET LANGUAGE] while keeping medical terms in English.
Use the conversational style that [REGION] patients use.

Template 4: Tone Adjustment Iteration

Rewrite this in a [DESIRED TONE] tone.
The patient is [PATIENT CONTEXT - e.g., anxious, elderly, first-time visitor].

Template 5: Detail Addition Iteration

Add more detail about [SPECIFIC ASPECT].
Include [SPECIFIC ELEMENTS] that were missing.

Template 6: Format Change Iteration

Convert this to [FORMAT - bullets/table/numbered list].
Keep it to [NUMBER] points maximum.

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Safety Note

Iteration does not replace verification. Even a polished V3 output must be reviewed before use with patients.

Key safety points during iteration:

• Do not iterate away safety warnings. If V1 includes important cautions, make sure they survive into V3.
• Check that simplification does not lose critical information. “Take medicine daily” is simpler than “Take medicine twice daily with food”—but the second version is medically important.
• Verify translations with a native speaker when possible, especially for medication instructions.
• Never use iteration to make AI sound more certain. If the AI hedged on something, there may be a good reason.

Remember: The doctor verifies. The AI drafts and refines. This division of responsibility does not change no matter how many iterations you run.

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Copy-Paste Prompts

Prompt 1: Simplify for Low Literacy

Make this simpler for a patient with 8th standard education.
Use short sentences. Avoid English medical terms—use Hindi equivalents or simple explanations.

Prompt 2: Shorten While Keeping Essentials

Shorten this by 50% while keeping:
- All safety warnings
- All dosing information
- The most important 3 action items

Prompt 3: Add Specific Details

Add more detail about [TOPIC]. Specifically include:
- [DETAIL 1]
- [DETAIL 2]
- [DETAIL 3]

Prompt 4: Change Tone to Warmer

Rewrite in a warmer, more caring tone.
This is for a patient who is anxious about their condition.
Avoid clinical language. Sound like a supportive friend who happens to be a doctor.

Prompt 5: Change Tone to More Formal

Rewrite in a more formal, professional tone.
This is for a referral letter to a senior consultant.
Use proper medical terminology and structured formatting.

Prompt 6: Convert to Hindi (Medical Terms in English)

Convert to Hindi while keeping medical terms and medicine names in English.
Use the conversational Hindi that patients in North India use.
Keep it simple—imagine explaining to someone's grandmother.

Prompt 7: Convert to Regional Language

Convert to [LANGUAGE: Marathi/Gujarati/Tamil/Telugu/Kannada/Bengali]
while keeping medical terms and medicine names in English.
Use everyday conversational style, not formal literary language.

Prompt 8: Make Medico-Legally Safer

Review this and rewrite to be medico-legally safer:
- Remove any definitive diagnostic statements
- Add appropriate hedging language ("may", "could", "discuss with your doctor")
- Ensure it is clear this is information, not medical advice
- Add a line asking patient to contact doctor if symptoms worsen

Prompt 9: Convert to Bullet Points

Convert this to bullet points.
Maximum [NUMBER] bullets.
Start each bullet with an action verb.

Prompt 10: Create a Summary Version

Create a 3-line summary of this that I can quickly tell the patient verbally.
Focus on: what to do, what to watch for, when to come back.

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Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Do use specific iteration commands (“shorten by 50%”) not vague ones (“make it better”)
• Do iterate one thing at a time to see what works
• Do save successful prompt chains in your library
• Do expect 2-3 iterations for most outputs
• Do keep safety warnings intact through all iterations
• Do verify the final output before using with patients

Don’ts

• Don’t start over when V1 is imperfect—iterate instead
• Don’t combine multiple changes in one iteration command
• Don’t iterate more than 5 times—fix your original prompt instead
• Don’t simplify away critical medical details
• Don’t assume V3 is automatically correct—always verify
• Don’t use iteration to make AI sound more certain than it should be

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1-Minute Takeaway

Iteration is not failure—it is the fastest path to a perfect output.

Memorise these five iteration commands:

1. “Make it simpler for a patient with 8th standard education”
2. “Shorten by 50% while keeping [key points]”
3. “Add more detail about [specific topic]”
4. “Rewrite in a warmer/more formal tone”
5. “Convert to Hindi while keeping medical terms in English”

Your V1 is a draft. Your V2 is better. Your V3 is usually clinic-ready. This takes under 2 minutes—much faster than rewriting your entire prompt from scratch.

Save your successful iterations. Next time you need something similar, you will start with a better prompt and need fewer refinements.

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This article builds on the 5-part prompt formula (Article B1) and format control techniques (Article B2). Master those foundations first, then use iteration to polish every output to clinic-ready quality.