The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) was founded in 1947 to promote and maintain high-quality standards for
family medicine, an offshoot of the classical
general practitioner. It is headquartered in
Leawood, Kansas
Leawood is a city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States, and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 33,902.
History
19th century
After the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the area ...
.
AAFP is one of the largest medical organizations in the United States, with 136,700 members in 50 U.S. states and territories, in addition to international members. The AAFP was instrumental in establishing family medicine as medicine's 20th primary specialty. The AMA's Council on Medical Education and the independent
American Board of Medical Specialties
Established in 1933, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is a non-profit organization which represent 24 broad areas of specialty medicine. ABMS is the largest physician-led specialty certification organization in the United States ...
granted approval to a certifying board in family medicine on February 8, 1969.
History
The AAFP was founded in 1947 as the American Academy of General Practice. The organization's name was changed on October 3, 1971, to "more accurately reflect the changing nature of primary health care".
Mission and objectives
The mission of the AAFP is to improve the health of patients, families and communities by serving the needs of members with professionalism and creativity.
To fulfill its mission, the AAFP's strategic objectives include:
* Support and sustain
family medicine practices that ensure the value of your comprehensive services.
* Reduce administrative complexity that detracts from patient care.
* Equip members with clinical expertise to provide high-quality,
evidence-based care and address health disparities.
* Grow a family physician workforce that fully represents our country’s diversity.
The AAFP also provides patients with free educational resources on its consumer health site.
Structure
The AAFP is governed by a Congress of Delegates composed of two delegates from each of its 55 constituent chapters, as well as from resident and student groups, new physicians, and the special constituencies (women, minorities, international medical graduates, and LGBTQs). The Congress meets annually immediately prior to the Academy's Family Medicine Experience (FMX) event (formerly known as Scientific Assembly) and has sole power to establish policies and define principles. These policies are carried out between annual meetings by the Board of Directors and a number of standing and special commissions and committees. Delegates to the Congress of Delegates elect the Board, which in turn appoints commission and committee members. Constituent chapters are organized similarly.
Publications
* ''AAFP News''—the official news publication of the American Academy of Family Physicians
* ''
American Family Physician
''American Family Physician'' (''AFP'') is the editorially independent, peer-reviewed and evidence-based medical journal published by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Published continuously since 1950, each issue delivers concise, easy-t ...
''—an editorially independent official peer-reviewed, clinical review
medical journal for physicians and other health care professionals.
* ''Family Practice Management''
—a peer-reviewed, practice improvement journal dedicated to offering practical ideas for better practice, better patient care, and a better work life for family physicians.
* ''
Annals of Family Medicine
''Annals of Family Medicine'' is a bimonthly peer-reviewed medical journal that was established in May/June 2003. It publishes original research from the clinical, biomedical, social and health services sciences, as well as contributions on methodo ...
''—a collaborative effort with six family medicine organizations
See also
*
Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics
Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) is a program that was developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). This course helps physicians, certified nurse midwife, nurse midwives (CNM), registered nurses, and other health care ...
(ALSO)
*
American Board of Family Medicine
The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is a non-profit, independent medical association of American physicians who practice in family medicine and its sub-specialties. Founded in February 1969 as the American Board of Family Practice (ABFP) ...
(ABFM)
*
American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians
The American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (AOBFP) is an organization that provides board certification to qualified osteopathic physicians (D.O.) who specialize in delivering comprehensive primary care for patients of all ages, genders, ...
(AOBFP)
*
American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) is a professional association and a medical specialty college in the United States. Its membership consists of osteopathic physicians who practice family medicine, residents and medical ...
*
Family medicine
*
World Organization of Family Doctors
The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) is a global not-for-profit professional organization representing family physicians and general practitioners from all regions of the world. WONCA's mission is to improve the quality of life of the ...
(Wonca)
References
External links
*
The AAFP Foundation€”a journal by the AAFP]
''Family Practice Management''€”a journal by the AAFP]
''Annals of Family Medicine''€”a collaborative journal of the six family medicine organizations
familydoctor.org€”The AAFP's patient education site. Includes handouts, brochures, flowcharts and other resources for patients
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Academy Of Family Physicians
American Academy of Family Physicians,
Family medicine in the United States
Medical and health organizations based in Kansas
Organizations established in 1947
1947 establishments in the United States
General practice organizations