American Academy of Family Physicians

American Academy of Family Physicians is a professional organization founded in 1947 by Douglas Robb, Francis H. Scranton, and John DeTar, with the goal of promoting the specialty of Family Medicine and supporting its members, including Robert L. Stout, John G. Ruffin, and Reginald L. Robinson. The organization is headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, and has over 129,000 members, including John Meigs Jr., Wanda F. Jones, and Rebecca J. Patchin. The American Academy of Family Physicians is a member of the World Organization of Family Doctors and works closely with other organizations, such as the American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization is also affiliated with the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors.

● History

The American Academy of Family Physicians was established in 1947, with the first meeting held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, attended by Eugene A. Stead Jr., Curtis G. Hames, and John W. Beasley. The organization's early years were marked by efforts to establish Family Medicine as a distinct medical specialty, with the help of pioneers like Nicholas J. Pisacano, John W. Beasley, and Robert B. Taylor. In the 1960s, the organization played a key role in the development of the first Family Medicine residency programs, including those at University of Kansas Medical Center and Duke University School of Medicine, under the guidance of John G. Ruffin and Robert L. Stout. The American Academy of Family Physicians has also worked closely with other organizations, such as the American Board of Family Medicine and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, to establish standards for Family Medicine education and training, with the involvement of experts like John Meigs Jr., Wanda F. Jones, and Rebecca J. Patchin.

● Organization

The American Academy of Family Physicians is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from each of the organization's eight Constituent Chapters, such as the California Academy of Family Physicians and the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. The organization is divided into several departments, including the Division of Medical Education, the Division of Scientific Affairs, and the Division of Government Relations, which work closely with other organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The American Academy of Family Physicians also has a number of committees and task forces, including the Commission on Education, the Commission on Health of the Public and Science, and the Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines, which involve experts like Robert L. Stout, John G. Ruffin, and Reginald L. Robinson. The organization is a member of the World Organization of Family Doctors and works closely with other international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization.

● Membership

Membership in the American Academy of Family Physicians is open to physicians who are board-certified in Family Medicine or who are in the process of completing a Family Medicine residency program, such as those at University of California, Los Angeles and University of Michigan Medical School. The organization has over 129,000 members, including John Meigs Jr., Wanda F. Jones, and Rebecca J. Patchin, who are involved in various activities, such as the American Medical Association and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. Members of the American Academy of Family Physicians are also eligible to join one of the organization's eight Constituent Chapters, such as the California Academy of Family Physicians and the Texas Academy of Family Physicians, which provide opportunities for networking and professional development, with the support of organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association. The organization offers a range of benefits to its members, including access to Continuing Medical Education courses, discounts on Medical Liability Insurance, and representation in Washington, D.C. through the Division of Government Relations, which works closely with other organizations, such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

● Education_and_Research

The American Academy of Family Physicians is committed to supporting the education and research needs of its members, with the help of organizations like the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors. The organization offers a range of Continuing Medical Education courses and other educational resources, including the Family Medicine Education Consortium and the National Institute for Program Director Development, which involve experts like John Meigs Jr., Wanda F. Jones, and Rebecca J. Patchin. The American Academy of Family Physicians also supports research in Family Medicine through its Research Division, which works closely with other organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The organization publishes a number of research journals, including the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine and the Annals of Family Medicine, which are affiliated with the American Board of Family Medicine and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

● Advocacy

The American Academy of Family Physicians is a strong advocate for the interests of Family Medicine physicians and their patients, with the support of organizations like the American Medical Association and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The organization has a number of advocacy priorities, including Health Care Reform, Medical Liability Reform, and Graduate Medical Education funding, which are addressed through the Division of Government Relations and the Washington, D.C. office. The American Academy of Family Physicians works closely with other organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association, to advance the interests of Family Medicine physicians and their patients, with the involvement of experts like John Meigs Jr., Wanda F. Jones, and Rebecca J. Patchin. The organization also provides resources and support to its members who are involved in advocacy efforts, including the Family Medicine Advocacy Summit and the National Conference of Constituent Chapters, which are affiliated with the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors.

● Publications

The American Academy of Family Physicians publishes a number of journals and other publications, including the American Family Physician and the Family Practice Management journal, which are affiliated with the American Board of Family Medicine and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. The organization also publishes a range of patient education materials, including the Healthwise Knowledgebase and the FamilyDoctor.org website, which are supported by organizations like the National Institutes of Health and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The American Academy of Family Physicians has a number of other publications, including the AAFP News Now newsletter and the Family Medicine journal, which involve experts like John Meigs Jr., Wanda F. Jones, and Rebecca J. Patchin. The organization's publications are widely read and respected, and are an important resource for Family Medicine physicians and their patients, with the support of organizations like the American Medical Association and the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Category:Medical organizations