Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about AFP, the editorially-independent, peer-reviewed journal of the AAFP.
American Family Physician : American Family Physician
https://www.aafp.org/journals/afp/about/faqs.html
Publication Ethics
Publication Ethics
American Family Physician : American Family Physician
https://www.aafp.org/journals/afp/about/publication-ethics.html
Department Collections
Search Department collections from past and current issues of AFP, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Family Physician : American Family Physician
https://www.aafp.org/journals/afp/content/departments.html
Studies Examine Antibiotic Resistance, Stewardship Issues
New research suggests a link between increased influenza vaccine uptake and reduced antibiotic prescription rates, while a second study examines primary care physicians' attitudes about antibiotic stewardship.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20200625antibxstudies.html
FPM Past Issues 2010
FPM issues 2010
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/issues/2010.html
FPM Past Issues 2009
FPM issues 2009
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/issues/2009.html
Meet the Doctors
Learn more about the physicians who contributed their stories to our series, "In Their Own Words: A QandA with Family Physicians."
Students and Residents : Medical Students
https://www.aafp.org/students-residents/medical-students/explore-career-in-family-medicine/day-as-family-doctor/bios.html
Residency Wrap-up Checklist
Use these tips to make sure you're ready to leave residency and move into practice.
Students and Residents : Residents
https://www.aafp.org/students-residents/residents/transition-into-practice/residency-wrapup-checklist.html
Lessons in Negotiation: Saving OB Training During Pandemic
When COVID-19 threatened to disrupt maternity care training at a Seattle hospital, leaders from three family medicine residency programs rallied to find a solution. Read more in this FPs on the Front Lines blog post.
AAFP News : FPs on the Front Lines: Meeting the Challenge | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/fpsonfrontlines/entry/20200616fl-covidob.html
Screen Adults for Unhealthy Drug Use, Says Task Force
On June 9, the U.S. Preventive Services task force issued a final recommendation statement and final evidence summary on screening for unhealthy drug use.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20200616uspstf-illicitdrugscreen.html
AFP Podcast
The AFP Podcast is a discussion of the key evidence-based learning points from each issue of American Family Physician (AFP). Each episode includes brief summaries of articles and other features.
American Family Physician : American Family Physician
https://www.aafp.org/journals/afp/multimedia/podcast.html
Log-in Instructions
Help with logging into aafp.org
About AAFP : About AAFP.org
https://www.aafp.org/about/this-site/login-help.html
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician
Jun 15, 2020 - Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is noncardiogenic pulmonary edema that manifests as rapidly progressive dyspnea, tachypnea, and hypoxemia. Diagnostic criteria include onset within one week of a known insult or new or worsening respiratory symptoms, profound hypoxemia, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0615/p730.html
Foreign Bodies in the Skin: Evaluation and Management - American Family Physician
Jun 15, 2020 - Foreign bodies may be introduced into the skin through lacerations and soft tissue wounds. Long-term complications of retained foreign bodies include chronic pain and neurovascular impairment. Wound exploration and initial imaging with radiography or ultrasonography should be considered...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0615/p740.html
Clinical Diagnosis of Acute Bacterial Rhinosinusitis - Point-of-Care Guides - American ...
Jun 15, 2020 - Which patients with symptoms of acute rhinosinusitis have bacterial infection?
American Family Physician : Point-of-Care Guides
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0615/p758.html
Create COVID-19 Litigation Safe Harbor, AAFP Tells Congress
Primary care physicians need temporary, targeted liability relief in the aftermath of COVID-19, the Academy and hundreds of other medical and professional organizations told lawmakers recently.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200610liabilityrelief.html
Tobacco Use: Ask Patients, Offer Advice, Provide Options
On June 2, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted a draft recommendation statement and draft evidence review regarding interventions for tobacco use cessation in adults.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20200610uspstf-tobaccocessadults.html
AAFP, Other Groups Issue Diabetes Self-management Report
The AAFP has collaborated with several other health care and diabetes organizations to publish a consensus report on the use of diabetes self-management education and support in adults with type 2 diabetes.
AAFP News : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/news/health-of-the-public/20200609diabetesconsensusrpt.html
Veteran FP Expanding His State's Physician Pipeline
Under the direction of John Mitchell, M.D., the number of family medicine residency positions in Mississippi has more than doubled in eight years, and more new programs are in development.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20200608fdf-mitchell.html
Recovering patient volume and practice finances in the wake of COVID-19: 12 tips -- FPM
Patient volume has dropped 60% since the start of the pandemic, and practice revenues have declined 55%. Here’s what practices can do to recover.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/recovering_practice_finances.html
Guidance Steers 2021 Match Around COVID-19 Obstacles
New recommendations aim to ensure a successful 2021 family medicine residency match process that overcomes hurdles thrown up by the pandemic.
AAFP News : CME
https://www.aafp.org/news/education-professional-development/20200604covidmatch.html
Academy Urges Congress to Extend Medicaid Payment Increase
Upping the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid is a vital response to COVID-19, the Academy and 18 other groups told congressional letters in a June 2 letter.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200604fmapletter.html
Flawed Regulations Keep IMGs on Sidelines in Pandemic
Shyam Odeti M.D., M.S., writes that thousands of immigrant physicians are willing to help in pandemic hotspots, but visa restrictions prohibit them from doing so.
AAFP News : As We See It: Voices From the AAFP
https://www.aafp.org/news/opinion/20200604guested-imgs.html
Fix Disparities, Payment to Improve Maternal Health, AAFP Advises
The AAFP offered detailed advice to CMS on addressing the maternal mortality rate, including examining the role of racism, and improving access to care by family physicians and payment.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200603ruralmaternal.html
Welcome to Family Medicine; the AAFP Is Here to Help
Third-year residents are wrapping up their training. Brent Sugimoto, M.D., M.P.H., A.A.H.I.V.S., the new physician member of the AAFP Board of Directors, offers advice on how the Academy can be an invaluable resource at this critical career stage in the Leader Voices Blog.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20200602lv-newphysicians.html
AAFP Membership FAQ
Learn more about AAFP membership with FAQs.
Membership : AAFP Membership FAQ
https://www.aafp.org/membership/faq.html
Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation for Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive ...
Jun 1, 2020 - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease characterized by hyperinflation of the lungs, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Learn more about the benefits and harms of using noninvasive positive pressure ventilation for exacerbation of COPD.
American Family Physician : Medicine by the Numbers
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0601/od1.html
Newborn Circumcision Techniques - American Family Physician
Jun 1, 2020 - Newborn male circumcision is a common elective surgical procedure for the removal of foreskin covering the glans penis. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0601/p680.html
No Short-Term Extra Benefit when Muscle Relaxants Are Added to Ibuprofen for Acute Low ...
Jun 1, 2020 - Adding a muscle relaxant to treatment with ibuprofen does not improve functional outcomes or pain, or lessen the number of people reporting moderate to severe back pain one week after starting treatment.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0601/p695.html
A Physician’s Guide to Navigating a Bureaucracy -- FPM
Jun 1, 2020 - To get what you need to create a more ideal practice, you must learn to navigate the bureaucracy of your organization. Here’s how.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p26.html
Implementing Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Primary Care Practice -- FPM
Jun 1, 2020 - In-office blood pressure readings are often inaccurate or insufficient. Here’s a way to get a better picture of how your patients are doing and get paid for it.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p19.html
Supplemental MRI Screening in Women with Very Dense Breasts Reduces Interval Cancer ...
Jun 1, 2020 - Supplemental MRI screening for women with very dense breasts compared with mammography alone every two years significantly reduces the likelihood of an interval cancer, from 5 per 1,000 to 2.5 per 1,000 in the intention-to-treat population and to 0.8 per 1,000 in the per-protocol ...
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0601/p695a.html
For Three-Vessel Disease, but Not Left Main Disease, CABG Is Preferred Over PCI - POEMs...
Jun 1, 2020 - For patients with left main disease, PCI with a drug-eluting stent and CABG had similar all-cause mortality rates at 10 years. For those with three-vessel disease, CABG is associated with lower 10-year mortality.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0601/p698.html
AAFP NRN/Graham Center Surveys Track COVID-19's Effects
Results from a series of weekly surveys from the AAFP National Research Network and the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care demonstrate the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on family physicians and their practices.
AAFP News : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/news/practice-professional-issues/20200529covidsurveys.html
Lend Your Voice to Academy's Week of Action
Due to the pandemic, the Academy is taking its annual advocacy event online. John Cullen, M.D., urges family physicians to make their voices heard June 1-5 to help stabilize, strengthen and sustain primary care.
AAFP News : AAFP Leader Voices | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/leadervoices/entry/20200529lv-weekofaction.html
Navigating Paper Walls, Digital Windows in Pandemic
Kurt Bravata, M.D., writes in this FPs on the Front Lines blog post that masks and other COVID-19 precautions have changed the way he communicates with patients in his rural practice.
AAFP News : FPs on the Front Lines: Meeting the Challenge | AAFP News Blog : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/fpsonfrontlines/entry/20200527fl-ruralcovid.html
Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education 2019 Winners
These residents were selected as the winners of the 2019 AAFP Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education.
Membership : Member Benefits
https://www.aafp.org/membership/benefits/awards/student-resident-awards/gme/2019-winners.html
Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education 2020 Winners
These residents were selected as the winners of the 2019 AAFP Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education.
Membership : Member Benefits
https://www.aafp.org/membership/benefits/awards/student-resident-awards/gme/2020-winners.html
AAFP, Others Warn Azar of Imminent Primary Care Closures
Funding to independent and community-based primary care practices, including Medicaid participants, must come soon, the AAFP and other groups told HHS this week.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200522closurewarning.html
National Heart Month 2017: Family Physicians Address the Heart of the Matter
National Heart Month 2017: Family Physicians Address the Heart of the Matter
AAFP News : Media Center
https://www.aafp.org/news/media-center/kits/national-heart-month.html
Questions About Producing Online Education
View frequently asked questions regarding producing online CME activities.
CME : AAFP Credit System
https://www.aafp.org/cme/credit-system/faq/producing-online-education.html
Academy Lauds Bills Recognizing Vital Need for IMGs
Recapturing 15,000 unused physician immigrant visas from prior fiscal years "would enable our U.S. physicians to have the support they need," the AAFP told lawmakers.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200518visaletters.html
Atopic Dermatitis: Diagnosis and Treatment - American Family Physician
May 15, 2020 - Atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema) is a chronic relapsing and remitting inflammatory skin disease affecting one in 10 people in their lifetime. Atopic dermatitis is caused by a complex interaction of immune dysregulation, epidermal gene mutations, and environmental factors that disrupts ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0515/p590.html
Ectopic Pregnancy: Diagnosis and Management - American Family Physician
May 15, 2020 - Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized ovum implants outside of the uterine cavity. In the United States, the estimated prevalence of ectopic pregnancy is 1% to 2%, and ruptured ectopic pregnancy accounts for 2.7% of pregnancy-related deaths. Risk factors include a history of pelvic...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0515/p599.html
Top 20 Research Studies of 2019 for Primary Care Physicians - American Family Physician
May 15, 2020 - In 2019, regular surveillance of 110 English-language research journals identified 254 studies that met the criteria to become POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters). Physician members of the Canadian Medical Association rated these POEMs for their relevance to patients in their...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0515/p608.html
The Older Driver - Curbside Consultation - American Family Physician
May 15, 2020 - Advancing age on its own is not a reason to stop driving. The ability to drive may enable older adults to maintain family and social interactions and to promote independence by accessing community resources, services, and volunteer opportunities.
American Family Physician : Curbside Consultation
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0515/p625.html
Surgery or Lasers Preferred to Foam Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins - POEMs - American...
May 15, 2020 - For symptomatic varicose veins at least 3 mm in diameter with evidence of saphenous vein reflux, laser ablation is the preferred initial therapy.
American Family Physician : POEMs
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0515/p630a.html
Behavioral Health and Tobacco Cessation
Participate in the Office Champions Tobacco Cessation Behavioral Health project.
Family Physician : Patient Care
https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/patient-care/care-resources/tobacco-and-nicotine/office-champions/behavioral-health-tobacco-cessation.html
A Needed Role Model and Advocate for Family Medicine
Family physician Andrea Anderson, M.D., has helped her specialty take root at a school that had lacked a family medicine presence.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20200511fdf-anderson.html
AAFP Gives Administration Formula for Saving Primary Care
In a pair of recent letters, the AAFP again called on the administration and Congress to direct relief -- and more visionary policy -- to primary care.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20200511sustainpractices.html