Pub. 4 2020 Issue 1

What Is an AAFP Commission? And Why Should I Be on One? T he American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is a member-driven organization and does amazing work on our behalf. AAFP Commissions are one of the organiza - tion’s most effective structures used to ensure member input is considered on critical topics. Commissions are nationally representative bodies of members and Chapter Execu - tives that give feedback to the AAFP on all sorts of areas. They assist with the development of programming, assist with policy ad - aptation, help ensure the Academy appropriately acts on Resolu - tions, and help decide if specific programs should be discontinued. Members apply and are chosen to participate for a four-year term. During their term, members travel to Kansas City, Missouri, for two in-person sessions each year and have web-based documents to review and edit, comment on, and vote to approve throughout the year. The in-person sessions provide added learning and current topics, opportunities to network with members from across the U.S., and “breaking” policy updates from AAFP Leadership. AAFP Commissions include: • Continuing Professional Development • Membership and Member Services • Education • Health of the Public and Science • Finance and Insurance • Quality and Practice • Governmental Advocacy I was chosen to participate in the commission on Quality and Practice in December 2018 and just finished a year and a half of attendance and participation. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of the planned May in-person session, replaced by an online event instead. Additionally, the AAFP has required rapid and front-line feedback from us this month to produce advocacy position papers, and advocate for funding for testing, access to Personal Protective Equipment, and financial protection from the crisis. We have been “on-call” for quick reviews and to help craft the content that comes from the AAFP to Washington and to CMS and the CDC. More than ever, I value my role in shaping the AAFP’s message to truly impact the course of current events. In the usual course of a commission year, I will participate in the two weekend meetings (leaving Friday afternoon to start early Saturday meetings, then home by dinner Sunday). I participate in up to twice-monthly written requests for feedback and posi - tion revisions and then spend a small amount of time on calls and email mentoring a brand-new commission member. I am also a part of my commission’s executive team, which includes a monthly 30-minute call to take care of interim business with the AAFP staff. I spend 2-3 hours reading the prework materials before the com - mission in-person meetings to be ready for the discussions and to By Sarah Woolsey, M.D., MPH, FAAFP www.UtahAFP.org | 30