Who Is STFM?
Founded in 1967, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) is a national community of academic leaders committed to developing an accomplished family medicine workforce, prepared to serve as the foundation of America’s health care system. Our members include physicians, PAs, nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, researchers, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals, health system executives, administrators, coordinators, fellows, residents, students, and others involved in the education of family physicians.
STFM Mission
Advancing family medicine to improve health through a community of teachers and scholars
STFM Vision
To become the indispensable academic home for every family medicine educator
STFM Tagline
Teach and Transform
STFM Core Values
Diversity, Excellence, Integrity, Nurturing, Openness, Relationships
About Family Medicine Education
Family medicine is a specialty that provides continuing, comprehensive health care for individuals and families. It is a specialty that integrates the biological, clinical, and behavioral sciences. The scope of family medicine encompasses care for all ages, gender, each organ system, and every disease entity.Family physicians in the United States must hold either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). The training process begins with college, followed by medical school (typically a four-year program), and continues with a residency.
Medical Schools
There are more than 170 accredited medical schools in the United States. These are accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) or the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA). Medical students spend nearly 9,000 hours in lectures, clinical study, lab, and direct patient care. During medical school, students take two “step” exams called the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). They must also complete core clerkships, or periods of clinical instruction. Passing the classes, both exams, and the clerkships grants students the MD or DO degree needed to start full clinical training in a residency program.
Family Medicine Residency
Family physicians are trained in one of the more than 800 family medicine residency programs, which are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), and typically require three years of training.The first year of residency, called the internship year, is when the final “step” of the USMLE (step three exam) is taken. During their three years of training, family medicine residents must meet the program requirements for both residency education in family medicine and certification by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). After three “program years” of training are completed and all requirements are met, residents are eligible to take the certification exam by the ABFM.Toward the end of residency, physicians also apply for licensure from their state medical boards. Although each state is different in its requirements for initial medical licensure, it is a necessity that physicians pass step three of the USMLE. Following the completion of their family medicine residency, graduates are eligible to sit for their board examination by the American Board of Family Medicine
Becoming a Family Medicine Educator
There is no single path to become a teacher of family medicine. Physicians, psychologists, researchers, and many other health care professionals choose careers in family medicine education. The key requirement is a passion for shaping and preparing the next generation of family medicine physicians.
Community Faculty/Preceptor/Clerkship
A preceptorship is a one-on-one teaching/learning relationship between an experienced physician (a preceptor) and a medical student or resident (the learner). During what is usually known as a clerkship, a preceptor liaisons with an accredited medical school or residency program to bring a learner into a practice for a limited time. Under the guidance of a preceptor, the learner may see patients, make diagnoses, prescribe treatments, and observe or perform select procedures.
STFM's Affiliations and Partnerships to Advance Family Medicine Education
Center for History of Family Medicine
STFM supports the Center for the History of Family Medicine, the primary repository of information and resources on the history and evolution of general practice, family practice, and the specialty of family medicine in the United States.
WONCA
STFM is a member of the World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians, also known as the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA).
Council of Academic Family Medicine
The Council of Academic Family Medicine is comprised of the four academic family medicine organizations: the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the North American Primary Care Research Group, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, and the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors.
AAMC Council of Faculty and Academic Societies
STFM has representation on the Association of American Medical College's Council of Faculty and Academic Societies.
Aquifer Family Medicine
Aquifer Family Medicine (formerly fmCASES) is a set of online, virtual patient cases that encompass the learning objectives of the National Family Medicine Clerkship Curriculum. These cases build clinical competency, fill educational gaps, and help instill the core values and attitudes of family medicine.
Primary Care Collaborative
Representing a broad group of public and private organizations, the Primary Care Collaborative seeks to unify and engage diverse stakeholders in promoting policies and sharing best practices that support growth of high-performing primary care and achieve the Quadruple Aim.
