AAFP News Now Goes Completely Electronic

The AAFP has made its news vehicle to members -- AAFP News Now -- a completely electronic product by transitioning the print version of the publication into a PDF version that members can access each month beginning in September.

AAFP News Now was originally conceived more than three years ago primarily as an electronic medium available as Web-based daily news updates and a weekly e-mail of top news stories. Since then, the product has added a weekly audiofile update version and RSS feeds that members can use to narrow their content choice.

According to Nancy Kuehl, editor of AAFP News Now, the PDF version will continue to provide the same comprehensive roundup of news coverage monthly as the print version. In addition, members who prefer to receive their news in a paper format can download and print out the PDF version and read it at their leisure.

"Members still would have a single-source publication that provides a comprehensive roundup of family medicine news each month," said Kuehl, adding that the PDF version also is easier for members to share with their colleagues.

In addition, said Kuehl, the PDF version can be expanded more easily than the print version to accommodate special sections or enhanced news coverage of events, such as the AAFP Congress of Delegates. A PDF version also can take advantage of new software to create a more interactive experience for readers.

"This completes the transformation of AAFP News Now into a completely electronic product and at a considerable cost savings to the Academy and its members," said Kuehl, noting that the change to a PDF version would save the Academy more than $300,000 a year.