Is AAFP Membership necessary?

[MedicineMan99]

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I'm board certified by both the ABFM and the ACOFP. Of course, the ACOFP requires AOA membership (which I have). But, am I required to be part of the AAFP to maintain my ABFM certification? If not, are there any other benefits other than the magazine every 2 weeks? Otherwise, it's hard for me to justify $500 per year when I can get the practice info on UptoDate.

Thanks.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

You are not required to be a member, no.

That said, I like the journal and more importantly the easy CME attached to it that the AAFP then records and sends to the ABFM and my state board automatically.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I guess it comes down to whether the AAFP require membership to maintain your board certification with them just like the AOA does. I guess the question is why do you need board cert from both boards? Isn't board certification the same on paper regardless of what side you are through?

 

[deleted87716]

I guess it comes down to whether the AAFP require membership to maintain your board certification with them just like the AOA does.

No, it doesn't.

I should add that most FM residency programs will sign all of their residents up for AAFP membership, since it's free to residents. After you graduate, however, it's up to you.

 

[MedicineMan99]

I guess it comes down to whether the AAFP require membership to maintain your board certification with them just like the AOA does. I guess the question is why do you need board cert from both boards? Isn't board certification the same on paper regardless of what side you are through?

I did a dual MD/DO residency and was required to get board certified by both the ACOFP and the ABFM. The reason I'm keeping both is that if I ever want to teach or be part of an academic residency program that is a MD/DO program or just a MD program, the ACGME will require that I'm part of the ABFM if I want to be Program Director.

Also, employers always seem impressed by it when I have dual board certification. (Although some are idiots and ask me questions like, "So you are both a MD and a DO?" )

 

[cabinbuilder]

Seems like a lot of work

 

[Roguelyn]

It's not required, but I like having the magazines and easy CME. I am getting renewal notices now and it's quite a bit more than $500! AAFP also keeps track of all my CME which makes for easy reporting to whatever group wants proof. I particularly like Practice Management since there just wasn't a lot of billing education in residency and my current billers have no formal billing training and seem generally clueless.