article creation|article review|author qualifications|content creation|content review|editorial policy|policy

Editorial Policy

The following editorial policy applies to all health content on familydoctor.org, the AAFP’s patient education website.

Qualifications of authors/reviewers

Authors and reviewers of health on familydoctor.org:

  • Are family doctors or professional writers or editors
  • Have relevant experience developing and/or reviewing patient-focused health content
  • Are knowledgeable about evidence-based medicine, AAFP policies, and clinical practice guidelines

Editorial process for health content created by familydoctor.org

  • Content is created by family doctors or professional writers or who have experience developing health content for patients.
  • Content is sourced from AAFP policies and clinical practice guidelines, AAFP journals (American Family Physician and Family Practice Management), other reputable clinical journals, medical specialty societies, and government agencies.
  • Content is reviewed by a medical review panel of family doctors to ensure the information:
    • Is medically accurate, complete, and useful
    • Adheres to evidence-based medicine, AAFP policies and clinical practice guidelines
    • Expresses a family medicine perspective
  • Content is reviewed by a health education expert to ensure the health literacy level is appropriate so that the information can be understood by a wide range of patients.
  • Content posted on familydoctor.org is reviewed on a two-year cycle (or more frequently, as necessary). The most recent review date is noted at the bottom of each article.