The American Academy of Family Physicians ( AAFP ) was founded in 1947 to promote and maintain high-quality standards for family medicine , an offshoot of the classical general practitioner . It is headquartered in Leawood, Kansas .
12-512: AAFP is one of the largest medical organizations in the United States, with 136,700 members in 50 U.S. states and territories, in addition to international members. The AAFP was instrumental in establishing family medicine as medicine's 20th primary specialty. The AMA's Council on Medical Education and the independent American Board of Medical Specialties granted approval to a certifying board in family medicine on February 8, 1969. The AAFP
24-583: Is governed by a Congress of Delegates composed of two delegates from each of its 55 constituent chapters, as well as from resident and student groups, new physicians, and the special constituencies (women, minorities, international medical graduates, and LGBTQs). The Congress meets annually immediately prior to the Academy's Family Medicine Experience (FMX) event (formerly known as Scientific Assembly) and has sole power to establish policies and define principles. These policies are carried out between annual meetings by
36-527: Is the largest and most widely recognized physician-led specialty certification organization in the United States. The other certification organizations in the United States are the American Board of Physician Specialties (recognized in parts of the United States) and American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists . ABMS Member Boards have maintained a rigorous process for
48-704: The ABMS Maintenance of Certification (ABMS MOC) program. ABMS also collaborates with other professional medical organizations and agencies to set standards for graduate medical school education and accreditation of residency programs. ABMS makes information available to the public about the Board Certification of physicians and their participation in the ABMS MOC program. Since 1934, specialty boards were considered for membership in ABMS according to
60-664: The ABMS Program for MOC within a four-part framework: All Programs for MOC implemented by the Member Boards measure the same six competencies within the same four-part framework. While these elements are consistent across all Member Boards, what may vary, according to the specialty, are the specific activities the Member Boards use to measure these competencies. Despite some variation in the activities, they are all built upon evidence-based guidelines, national clinical and quality standards, and specialty best practices. ABMS
72-466: The ABMS Program for MOC. The MOC program provides physicians a structured approach for enhancing patient care and improving patient outcomes through focused assessment and improvement activities. The ABMS Program for MOC involves ongoing measurement of six core competencies defined by ABMS and ACGME: These competencies, which are the same ones used in the ACGME's Next Accreditation System, are measured in
84-453: The ABMS Program for Maintenance of Certification (ABMS MOC®) are highly-visible indicators that physicians know today's standards of practice. The ABMS Program for MOC activities emphasize ongoing professional development and assessment that is aligned with other professional expectations and requirements within health care. The information below provides an overview of the requirements for initial Board Certification and MOC. To learn more about
96-570: The Board of Directors and a number of standing and special commissions and committees. Delegates to the Congress of Delegates elect the Board, which in turn appoints commission and committee members. Constituent chapters are organized similarly. American Board of Medical Specialties The American Board of Medical Specialties ( ABMS ) is a non-profit organization established in 1933 which represents 24 broad areas of specialty medicine . ABMS
108-511: The evaluation and Board certification of medical specialists, though none of the processes have been confirmed by independent third-party review. They certify specialists in more than 150 medical specialties and subspecialties. More than 80 percent of practicing physicians in the United States have achieved Board Certification by one or more of the ABMS Member Boards. The Member Boards support lifelong learning by physicians through
120-456: The requirements for a specific specialty, contact the particular ABMS Member Board. Physicians can demonstrate their expertise in a medical specialty by earning Board Certification through one of the 24 ABMS Member Boards. Before physicians can become Board Certified, however, they must first: Once Board Certified, physicians maintain their medical specialty expertise by participating in a robust continuous professional development program called
132-682: The standards set in the " Essentials for Approval of Examining Boards in Medical Specialties " created by ABMS and the American Medical Association Council on Medical Education (AMA/CME). In 1948, these efforts were formalized through the establishment of the Liaison Committee for Specialty Boards (LCSB), which is made up of representatives from ABMS and AMA/CME. Broadly stated, a medical specialty examining board must: Board Certification and
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#1732787084535144-642: Was founded in 1947 as the American Academy of General Practice. The organization's name was changed on October 3, 1971, to "more accurately reflect the changing nature of primary health care". The mission of the AAFP is to improve the health of patients, families and communities by serving the needs of members with professionalism and creativity. To fulfill its mission, the AAFP's strategic objectives include: The AAFP also provides patients with free educational resources on its consumer health site. The AAFP
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