The AAFP Home Study program, which has approximately 5,000 subscribers, produces monthly monographs, audio recordings, and updates as well as an annual CD-ROM on select topics pertinent to family medicine. The program follows a multi-year curriculum that covers the breadth of family medicine. (See a list of topics on which we're currently accepting manuscript submissions.)
The goal of Home Study is to produce continuing medical education for practicing family physicians. Therefore, the monograph should be case-based and focus on new and clinically relevant information. The approach should be evidence-based and explicit; lengthy coverage of epidemiology, pathophysiology or anatomy is discouraged.
FP Essentials Author Instructions
Background
Format Requirements
Length. The completed manuscript text should be approximately 10,000 words, with monographs divided into 4 sections (each with a length approximately 2,500 words), exclusive of figures, tables, references, appendices, and table of contents.
Format. Use Microsoft Word with left justification and 1-inch margins. If using software other than Word (eg, to create tables or figures), contact the managing editor early to ensure compatibility. Submit the completed manuscript electronically by e-mail. Include figures and tables with the manuscript.
Cover (Title) Page. The cover page should include the manuscript title, your name, address, work and home telephone numbers, fax number, and e-mail address.
Biographical Sketch. Provide a 75-100 word biographic sketch for each author that includes current position, education, residency experience, notable positions, and clinical interests. See sample provided. The purpose of the biographic sketch is to establish your credentials and credibility as authors of the monograph.
Practice Recommendations. Provide 5-10 key practice recommendations highlighting critical points or new developments in care. Recommendations should be written as action statements and should form the foundation for your monograph. Rate each recommendation using the SORT taxonomy, available at www.aafp.org/afp/20040201/548.html.
For each recommendation, cite an evidence-based source from which the recommendation is derived. To the extent possible, we ask that you cite AAFP-approved evidence-based medicine (EB-CME) sources, criteria, guidelines. However, new articles or recent findings also may be suitable if the AAFP-approved sources do not contain the most current evidence; such sources also may be used.
Practice recommendations that advocate the use of complementary and alternative medicine must include EB-CME documentation to support the recommendations.
If you have questions about preparing the practice recommendation, please contact the associate medical editor who is working with you on the manuscript.
Preface. Provide a preface of up to 1 double-spaced page, reviewing the background and scope of the monograph, as well as explaining the rationale for the manuscript organization.
Cases. Provide illustrative cases that highlight key decision points in diagnosis and management. There should be one case for each main topic discussed in the monograph. Case content should be integrated into the text.
References. The manuscript should have between 30 and 100 references (average 40 to 60) to recently published and accessible literature. References to peer-reviewed journals indexed in MEDLINE are preferred to other sources. Web references are acceptable. Avoid sources that are older or of historic interest only. Do not use editorials, abstracts, unpublished observations, manuscripts in preparation or submitted for publication, personal communications, or obscure or non-English-language journals.
To the extent possible, cite original research. Systematic reviews, explicitly developed guidelines, and evidence-based summaries from such organizations as the Cochrane Collaborative also are acceptable. Avoid citing textbooks and clinical review articles.
References must be numbered sequentially within the text; if a source is cited more than once, retain the reference number of the first citation but avoid extensive cross-referencing. Include a corresponding reference list at the end of the manuscript arranged numerically. References should conform to the MEDLINE style (see example provided), and include volume and inclusive page numbers.
Suggested Reading. Include a short list (6 to 8 items) of suggested readings or Web sites. These should be current (past 5 years) and from articles or books that can be found in the typical hospital library.
Figures and Table. Include up to a total of 15 figures and tables, preferably original. Tables can be created using a word processing program. Figures may be line drawings, computer-generated images, or scanned photographs or slides. They also may be algorithms or flow charts for complicated patient care problems, and such algorithms are encouraged. Each figure and table must have a typed double-spaced legend either below the image or on a separate page. If you anticipate the need for artist services, discuss this as soon as possible with the managing editor as it is necessary to plan ahead when using artist services.
Artist Services. Home Study staff can produce flow charts from sketches and arrange to redraw artwork from sketches or other sources at our expense, but such arrangements should be made well in advance of the manuscript submission. We do not publish color illustrations except on select topics, such as dermatology.
Photograph Resolution. Photographs that are submitted electronically should be in jpeg or tiff format at 300 dpi (dots per inch). With original submission of the manuscript, photographs and figures may be pasted within the Word document (eg, the manuscript). After acceptance for publication the author may be requested to provide separate image files.
Tables and Figures. Each table and figure should appear at the end of the monograph (before or after references). Each should be on a separate page. Tables and figures should be numbered and cited in the text.
Copyrighted Materials. Figures and tables should either be original or in the public domain (eg, government documents and reports). Use of previously published or copyrighted materials is discouraged. For other previously published material, the AAFP must obtain copyright permission and we cannot guarantee that such material can be used.
Address all questions about illustrations, charts, or tables to the Home Study managing editor.
CME Questions. Following completion of the monograph, a medical editor will prepare CME questions based on the content of the manuscript. Authors will be expected to review, edit, and approve these questions.
Format. Use Microsoft Word with left justification and 1-inch margins. If using software other than Word (eg, to create tables or figures), contact the managing editor early to ensure compatibility. Submit the completed manuscript electronically by e-mail. Include figures and tables with the manuscript.
Cover (Title) Page. The cover page should include the manuscript title, your name, address, work and home telephone numbers, fax number, and e-mail address.
Biographical Sketch. Provide a 75-100 word biographic sketch for each author that includes current position, education, residency experience, notable positions, and clinical interests. See sample provided. The purpose of the biographic sketch is to establish your credentials and credibility as authors of the monograph.
Practice Recommendations. Provide 5-10 key practice recommendations highlighting critical points or new developments in care. Recommendations should be written as action statements and should form the foundation for your monograph. Rate each recommendation using the SORT taxonomy, available at www.aafp.org/afp/20040201/548.html.
For each recommendation, cite an evidence-based source from which the recommendation is derived. To the extent possible, we ask that you cite AAFP-approved evidence-based medicine (EB-CME) sources, criteria, guidelines. However, new articles or recent findings also may be suitable if the AAFP-approved sources do not contain the most current evidence; such sources also may be used.
Practice recommendations that advocate the use of complementary and alternative medicine must include EB-CME documentation to support the recommendations.
If you have questions about preparing the practice recommendation, please contact the associate medical editor who is working with you on the manuscript.
Preface. Provide a preface of up to 1 double-spaced page, reviewing the background and scope of the monograph, as well as explaining the rationale for the manuscript organization.
Cases. Provide illustrative cases that highlight key decision points in diagnosis and management. There should be one case for each main topic discussed in the monograph. Case content should be integrated into the text.
References. The manuscript should have between 30 and 100 references (average 40 to 60) to recently published and accessible literature. References to peer-reviewed journals indexed in MEDLINE are preferred to other sources. Web references are acceptable. Avoid sources that are older or of historic interest only. Do not use editorials, abstracts, unpublished observations, manuscripts in preparation or submitted for publication, personal communications, or obscure or non-English-language journals.
To the extent possible, cite original research. Systematic reviews, explicitly developed guidelines, and evidence-based summaries from such organizations as the Cochrane Collaborative also are acceptable. Avoid citing textbooks and clinical review articles.
References must be numbered sequentially within the text; if a source is cited more than once, retain the reference number of the first citation but avoid extensive cross-referencing. Include a corresponding reference list at the end of the manuscript arranged numerically. References should conform to the MEDLINE style (see example provided), and include volume and inclusive page numbers.
Suggested Reading. Include a short list (6 to 8 items) of suggested readings or Web sites. These should be current (past 5 years) and from articles or books that can be found in the typical hospital library.
Figures and Table. Include up to a total of 15 figures and tables, preferably original. Tables can be created using a word processing program. Figures may be line drawings, computer-generated images, or scanned photographs or slides. They also may be algorithms or flow charts for complicated patient care problems, and such algorithms are encouraged. Each figure and table must have a typed double-spaced legend either below the image or on a separate page. If you anticipate the need for artist services, discuss this as soon as possible with the managing editor as it is necessary to plan ahead when using artist services.
Artist Services. Home Study staff can produce flow charts from sketches and arrange to redraw artwork from sketches or other sources at our expense, but such arrangements should be made well in advance of the manuscript submission. We do not publish color illustrations except on select topics, such as dermatology.
Photograph Resolution. Photographs that are submitted electronically should be in jpeg or tiff format at 300 dpi (dots per inch). With original submission of the manuscript, photographs and figures may be pasted within the Word document (eg, the manuscript). After acceptance for publication the author may be requested to provide separate image files.
Tables and Figures. Each table and figure should appear at the end of the monograph (before or after references). Each should be on a separate page. Tables and figures should be numbered and cited in the text.
Copyrighted Materials. Figures and tables should either be original or in the public domain (eg, government documents and reports). Use of previously published or copyrighted materials is discouraged. For other previously published material, the AAFP must obtain copyright permission and we cannot guarantee that such material can be used.
Address all questions about illustrations, charts, or tables to the Home Study managing editor.
CME Questions. Following completion of the monograph, a medical editor will prepare CME questions based on the content of the manuscript. Authors will be expected to review, edit, and approve these questions.
Policies
- Duplicate Publication. Home Study has a strict policy on duplicate publication. All materials submitted by authors must be original work not published or submitted elsewhere. This policy includes material from other AAFP publications (eg, American Family Physician [AFP]).
- Unlabeled Use of Drugs or Devices. Authors must inform readers about the use of drugs or devices approved by the Food and Drug Administration for given indications, and also must identify unapproved or off-label uses of drugs, devices, or procedures.
- Drug Names. Home Study uses generic drug names. Trade names are included in parentheses on first mention if a generic is not available.
- Conflict of Interest. All authors must sign a declaration disclosing relevant interests and conflicts of interest. Authors should read and complete the online declaration form. Many authors will have potential conflicts, and it is critical that these conflicts are disclosed so as to ensure appropriate steps are taken to resolve such issues.
- Copyright. Authors are required to sign a copyright transfer agreement before the manuscript is published. Copyright of published monographs is retained by the AAFP. Authors must contact the Home Study editorial office for permission to use material in the manuscript in another publication.
Manuscript Review and Management
Home Study editors will assist you with development of the manuscript and ensure that your work meets Home Study guidelines. After the draft manuscript is completed, a Home Study medical editor will conduct a review to ensure that all requirements specified on the checklist are met. The medical editor will then enlist authorities in family medicine and pertinent subspecialties to review your manuscript. You will be expected to revise your manuscript to address comments and concerns raised by the reviewers.
At this stage of the process, expect extensive changes and queries. It is essential that you respond to queries in a timely manner. If your schedule requires prolonged absences, discuss such with the editors well in advance so that the production schedule can be adjusted accordingly.
After you revise the manuscript, it will be edited by Home Study medical editors. This editing may require you to respond to additional queries about the content of your manuscript, and to make additional revisions to address those queries.
Finally, the monograph will undergo editing by Home Study staff editors to ensure that the manuscript conforms to the program style and format. You will need to review and approve the final edited version of the monograph.
Strict deadlines will be provided to you by editors and staff to ensure publishing on schedule. The lead author is responsible for timely completion of all work. Work that is completed substantially after deadlines may be rejected, in which case authors will not be eligible to receive payment.
At this stage of the process, expect extensive changes and queries. It is essential that you respond to queries in a timely manner. If your schedule requires prolonged absences, discuss such with the editors well in advance so that the production schedule can be adjusted accordingly.
After you revise the manuscript, it will be edited by Home Study medical editors. This editing may require you to respond to additional queries about the content of your manuscript, and to make additional revisions to address those queries.
Finally, the monograph will undergo editing by Home Study staff editors to ensure that the manuscript conforms to the program style and format. You will need to review and approve the final edited version of the monograph.
Strict deadlines will be provided to you by editors and staff to ensure publishing on schedule. The lead author is responsible for timely completion of all work. Work that is completed substantially after deadlines may be rejected, in which case authors will not be eligible to receive payment.
Responsibility After Publication
After publication of the monograph, your responsibility extends to assisting the editors and staff in responding to the occasional letter of inquiry from subscribers regarding the content. These queries are uncommon, but you will be expected to assist the editors in writing a response or an erratum as appropriate. A summary of subscriber evaluations will be sent to you approximately 6 to 8 months after publication.
Writing Style
AAFP Home Study uses standard American Medical Association style. Please refer to the AMA Manual of Style, 10th Edition, 2007.
Avoid convoluted sentences, personal pronouns, and the first-person case. The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, and similar grammar and usage books are excellent resources.
Avoid convoluted sentences, personal pronouns, and the first-person case. The Elements of Style by Strunk and White, and similar grammar and usage books are excellent resources.
Biographic Example
Francine Welby, MD, is professor and chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the Western Florida Medical University (WFMU), Orlando. She earned a medical degree from Case Hardened University, Detroit, Michigan, and completed a family practice residency at Mountainside Memorial Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky. Dr Welby was in rural practice in eastern Kentucky. Prior to joining WFMU, she was director of the Family Practice Residency Program at the University of Northern Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Edwin Nildare, MD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Topeka, Kansas. He earned a medical degree from the University of the Bronx, New York. He completed a neurology residency and fellowship in electromyography and neuromuscular disease at the University of Texas, Houston. Dr Nildare is board certified in neurology and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in clinical neurophysiology. He teaches medical students and residents, and his clinical interests include entrapment neuropathies and neuromuscular complications of critical illness.
Edwin Nildare, MD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Topeka, Kansas. He earned a medical degree from the University of the Bronx, New York. He completed a neurology residency and fellowship in electromyography and neuromuscular disease at the University of Texas, Houston. Dr Nildare is board certified in neurology and has a Certificate of Added Qualification in clinical neurophysiology. He teaches medical students and residents, and his clinical interests include entrapment neuropathies and neuromuscular complications of critical illness.
Reference Format Examples
JOURNAL ARTICLES: DeWalt DA, Berkman ND, Sheridan S, et al. Literacy and health outcomes: a systematic review of the literature. J Gen Intern Med. 2004;19(12):1129-1139.
BOOKS CHAPTER: O’Sullivan SB, Thomas JS. Assist devices and gait patterns. In: Schnee M, ed. Physical Rehabilitation: Assessment and Treatment. 4th ed. Philadelphia: FA Davis Company; 2001:425-434. [Chapter titles are lowercase.]
WEB MATERIAL:Dalton C; University of Virginia. Building a Health Literacy Curriculum. Available at http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/som-hlc/. Accessed May 2006.
Systems to rate the strength of scientific evidence. Summary, evidence report/technology assessment: No. 47. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; March 2002. AHRQ publication No. 02-E015. Available at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/strengthsum.htm. Accessed June 2004.
BOOKS CHAPTER: O’Sullivan SB, Thomas JS. Assist devices and gait patterns. In: Schnee M, ed. Physical Rehabilitation: Assessment and Treatment. 4th ed. Philadelphia: FA Davis Company; 2001:425-434. [Chapter titles are lowercase.]
WEB MATERIAL:Dalton C; University of Virginia. Building a Health Literacy Curriculum. Available at http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/som-hlc/. Accessed May 2006.
Systems to rate the strength of scientific evidence. Summary, evidence report/technology assessment: No. 47. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; March 2002. AHRQ publication No. 02-E015. Available at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/strengthsum.htm. Accessed June 2004.
Key Practice Recommendations Format Examples
At least 5-10 recommendations should be provided, and they should correspond to the main points of the monograph.
1. Recommendation: Promptly give aspirin (325 mg) to any patient with an acute ischemic stroke when the patient is not a candidate for treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Aspirin is contraindicated within 24 hours of thrombolysis therapy.
Approved Source: AHRQ, 2005
Web site: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5896
Strength of evidence: SORT A
Enduring materials: Albers GW, Amarenco P, Easton JD, Sacco RL, Teal P. Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Chest. 2004;126(3 Suppl):483S-512S.
2. Recommendation: For eligible patients, administration of IV rt-PA (a dose of 0.9 mg/kg [maximum 90 mg], with 10% of the total dose administered as an initial bolus, and the remainder infused over 60 min) is recommended, provided that treatment is initiated within 3 hours of clearly defined symptom onset.
Approved Source: AHRQ, 2005
Web site: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5896
Strength of evidence: SORT A
Enduring materials: Albers GW, Amarenco P, Easton JD, Sacco RL, Teal P. Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Chest. 2004;126(3 Suppl):483S-512S.
3. Recommendation: In patients with atrial fibrillation who have had a recent stroke or TIA, indefinite oral warfarin anticoagulation is recommended (target INR = 2.5; range = 2.0 to 3.0) [Grade 1A].
Approved Source: AHRQ, 2005
Web site: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5896
Strength of evidence: SORT A
Enduring materials: Albers GW, Amarenco P, Easton JD, Sacco RL, Teal P. Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Chest. 2004;126(3 Suppl):483S-512S.
1. Recommendation: Promptly give aspirin (325 mg) to any patient with an acute ischemic stroke when the patient is not a candidate for treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Aspirin is contraindicated within 24 hours of thrombolysis therapy.
Approved Source: AHRQ, 2005
Web site: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5896
Strength of evidence: SORT A
Enduring materials: Albers GW, Amarenco P, Easton JD, Sacco RL, Teal P. Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Chest. 2004;126(3 Suppl):483S-512S.
2. Recommendation: For eligible patients, administration of IV rt-PA (a dose of 0.9 mg/kg [maximum 90 mg], with 10% of the total dose administered as an initial bolus, and the remainder infused over 60 min) is recommended, provided that treatment is initiated within 3 hours of clearly defined symptom onset.
Approved Source: AHRQ, 2005
Web site: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5896
Strength of evidence: SORT A
Enduring materials: Albers GW, Amarenco P, Easton JD, Sacco RL, Teal P. Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Chest. 2004;126(3 Suppl):483S-512S.
3. Recommendation: In patients with atrial fibrillation who have had a recent stroke or TIA, indefinite oral warfarin anticoagulation is recommended (target INR = 2.5; range = 2.0 to 3.0) [Grade 1A].
Approved Source: AHRQ, 2005
Web site: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5896
Strength of evidence: SORT A
Enduring materials: Albers GW, Amarenco P, Easton JD, Sacco RL, Teal P. Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke: the Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. Chest. 2004;126(3 Suppl):483S-512S.
Author Instructions
