AFP By Topic Organizes Sought-after Clinical Information

After 60 years of publication, 12 of them including online content, the amount of clinical information in the AAFP's clinical journal American Family Physician, or AFP, can seem overwhelming. But now, the editors of AFP have introduced a new resource to help readers access the most current and pertinent information on a variety of topics.

AFP By Topic: Editors' Choice of Best Current Content is a collection of articles on each of 31 core clinical topics for family physicians, including

The content in each of the topic areas was chosen by AFP medical editors "based on its usefulness, currentness and quality," according to a June 1 editorial on the resource (Members/Paid Subscribers Only) by AFP Editor Jay Siwek, M.D., and Associate Medical Editor for AFP Online Kenny Lin, M.D. The editors then "organize it in a user-friendly way to aid in answering clinical questions."

Siwek and Lin note that the resource should help AFP readers meet a variety of learning needs, including immediate in-office needs and the need for review of a certain topic area.

In addition to AFP articles on the given topic, collections may include AFP's Point-of-Care Guides, Cochrane for Clinicians reviews, Clinical Inquiries from the Family Practice Inquiries Network, patient information handouts and summaries of practice guidelines from various medical organizations, as well as a variety of other material. Each collection is categorized, and categories typically include screening and diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and complications.

"AFP By Topic represents one way we are improving the display and usefulness of the large amount of clinical resources available on AFP Online," write Siwek and Lin.

According to AFP editors, new content will be added to AFP By Topic as it becomes available, and outdated content will be removed. Content added within the past 12 months is available to AAFP members and AFP subscribers only.