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Editor's Notes

• #3: AAFP’s mission is outcome focused on what it means to serve the needs of its members, recognizing that the health of patients, families, and communities as the ultimate goal. The AAFP serves its members needs through its four strategic focus areas: advocacy, practice enhancement, education and health of the public.
• #4: You may have used this journal as early as during your medical school years. This same journal is used by practicing family physicians throughout the world to help keep them current on clinical topics relevant to family medicine.
• #5: AAFP members can also access Family Practice Management online. Published six times a year. Although your immediate focus may be on clinical studies, you can find a wealth of info that can help you negotiate the contract you want, and prepare for your first job. You’ll also find that the Family Practice Management journal is extremely valuable as you move into your post-residency career, and need resources to help you work with insurers, Medicare, and getting paid, help you establish a good rapport with staff, and build an efficient practice that works for you.
• #6: The Annals of Family Medicine is a peer-reviewed research journal devoted to family medicine. It’s a collaborative effort of seven different family medicine organizations, but for those with a penchant for research and the science of family medicine, you’ll enjoy reading the Annals online and appreciate the fact that family medicine is a dynamic science.
• #7: Getting Started: Tools for the New Physician Is an online PDF resource for all members. Updated annually, this resource can help you structure your planning about your career, with suggestions for developing a CV, information that can help you choose a career path that fits your goals, need-to-know info about licensure, DEA, preparing for an interview and much more.
• #8: AAFP offers a variety of ways to help you prepare for the ABFM Boards. Online Board review questions are available free of charge to AAFP members. Review for your Boards using these 10-question quizzes that help you assess areas needing more focus. AAFP’s self-study Board Review courses are designed to help residents and FPs study anywhere. AAFP Resident members may purchase from the AAFP catalog at a substantial discount. Live AAFP Board Review or Board Review Express courses are held annually throughout the U.S. This intensive in-person course helps family medicine residents and practicing physicians prepare with peers in an informative environment.
• #9: FPM Toolbox is another great resource that can take some of the stress out of preparing for your post-residency career, and give you hands-on tools you can use when you’re growing your practice.
• #10: Stay abreast of your job market, with CareerLink. AAFP’CareerLink helps family physicians and employers find each other. Post your resume anonymously, create personal alerts and set up job seeker accounts that help you locate the position that’s right for you.
• #11: While you are a resident, the AAFP offers a number of ways to engage with your peers, network with practicing family physicians, and grow in leadership positions within the Academy at the national or chapter levels. Go to www.aafp.org/getinvolved for ideas that may fit your goals. Here’s a special one: The National Conference for Family Medicine Residents and Medical Students . This annual event gives residents hands-on training, a chance to meet and work with practicing family physicians from around the nation, get to know your peers, and develop your leadership skills, all in one event.
• #12: You may have attended as a medical student. More than 1,700 family medicine residents and medical students attend NC every year in Kansas City. In addition to workshops and hands-on procedures, you have an opportunity to experience how resolutions introduced by members can become AAFP policy that can help shape family medicine’s future and yours. You can run for Resident member of the AAFP Board of Directors, or be nominated to serve on one of several vital commissions or committees. The AAFP and your chapter offer several opportunities for you to build your leadership skills as you build your clinical skills during residency.
• #13: The AAFP’s Scientific Assembly is the premier event for family physicians in the U.S. Drawing more than 4,000 attendees from around the world, Scientific Assembly offers family medicine residents and practicing physicians more than 320 CME courses and opportunities to meet, network, and learn together. The 2011 Scientific Assembly will be held in Orlando, Florida, September 14 – 17. Residents can enjoy Scientific Assembly at the lowest rate available -- $100. But the experience is invaluable. The variety of courses ensures your access to clinical and other topical CME that is most relevant to you. You’ll have a front-row seat to AAFP’s governance in action, as the elected Resident member of the Board of Directors is officially confirmed along with other elected Directors during the Congress of Delegates – AAFP’s official policy-making body – that immediately precedes the Scientific Assembly. And you’ll meet and work with peers and family physicians from every corner of the nation, and form a strong network you can draw on for the rest of your family medicine career.
• #14: The AAFP advocates for family medicine and you, as a family physician. Your membership makes it possible for AAFP staff to be in D.C., educating federal legislators, and in state capitols throughout the U.S. The AAFP also advocates for you with it comes to working with insurers and third-party payers, to ensure you are paid for the care you provide to your patients.
• #15: AAFP leaders converge on the Hill annually, and work year-round with congressional leaders and staff to keep issues that impact family medicine and quality health care at the forefront.
• #16: As an AAFP member, your involvement is key. As a busy resident in training, your time is limited. But the AAFP’s Speak Out tool can ensure that your voice and message makes it to the legislators who can make a difference. Sign up for Legislative Alerts, and you’ll be notified when a critical vote is pending, and how you can tell legislators what you think from your laptop.
• #17: The AAFP and its constituent chapters work aggressively with state leaders and legislators to fight for funding and defend family physicians from poorly- developed legislation that can negatively impact your ability to provide quality care to all of your patients.
• #18: AAFP offers a variety of resources online for residents who may not follow a direct three-year route to completion. If you’re considering a post-residency fellowship or additional training, the AAFP and STFM co-sponsored Fellowship Directory online can help you find the training you’re looking for. Also, review the Preceptorship Directory. Looking for international experience? The AAFP has listed several options for you -- during, or after residency.
• #19: Join any or all of AAFP’s members-only online communities. Read and add to discussions, build or post wikis, and read blogs from peer AAFP members. Current member communities include rural medicine, clinical procedures, emergency medicine/urgent care, and EHRs and Health IT. All that’s required is your membership and interests.
• #20: Or you can join the discussion through one or more of AAFP’s members-only e-discussion lists, that cover a broad range of topics and interest areas. As a member, you can join any and all lists to stay abreast of issues of interest to you.
• #21: Through awards or scholarships, AAFP offers several opportunities for you to show your commitment to family medicine, and be rewarded for it.
• #22: As a community leader, the AAFP arms you with programs and ideas to help you improve your community’s health. Tar Wars – Celebrating its 22 nd anniversary, Tar Wars has helped generations of children embrace a smoke-free world with its tobacco-free messages. AIM-HI – AAFP’s multi-faceted fitness initiative helps you educate your patients and community about fitness, nutrition and emotional well-being. Ask and Act – AAFP’s tobacco-cessation program can help you open the discussion with patients about their smoking, and arms you with tools to help them quit.
• #23: AAFP’s FamilyDoctor.org is one of the most read and valued sites for medical information for patients in the U.S. FamilyDoctor.org offers educational materials specifically developed for your patients, that you can print and distribute to help reinforce your instructions when they leave your office.
• #42: Whether you are a New Physician, or a resident who will soon complete residency, one of the biggest “shocks” occurs when you realize your favorite attending isn’t around any longer to ask a question of. And you may not feel comfortable asking peers in your new employment situation. AAFP can help. AAFP is your post-residency support system, with expert staff able to answer most questions you may have about practice management, coding, finding supportive resources for you and your patients, and much more. Call or e-mail your questions about credentialing hospital privileging EHRs coding practice support and more.