Inside Family Medicine

In this episode of the Inside Family Medicine podcast, host Adam Bradley talks with Victoria Boggiano, MD, MPH, and Connie Leeper, MD, MPH, about the unexpected turns that can shape a career in family medicine.

Boggiano and Leeper share the experiences that led them to the specialty and the career "plot twists" that followed. Boggiano reflects on an early interest in health policy, anthropology and global health before finding her way to clinical medicine, public health and academic family medicine. Leeper discusses entering medicine with an interest in sports medicine and global health before discovering a passion for teaching during an obstetrics fellowship and ultimately building a career in academics.

Their stories highlight one of family medicine's defining strengths: flexibility. Because family physicians receive broad training, they can build careers that include outpatient care, hospital medicine, obstetrics, procedures, academics, advocacy, public health and other areas — and change that mix as their interests, communities and lives evolve. Boggiano and Leeper discuss why "full scope" does not have to mean the same thing for every physician and how family medicine allows physicians to continually redefine what their own practice looks like.

The conversation also offers practical advice for students, residents and early-career physicians facing an unexpected opportunity or difficult career decision. Boggiano and Leeper encourage physicians to identify what brings them joy, understand their value, ask for what they need and lean on mentors and the broader family medicine community. Whether a career change begins with a new opportunity or an unexpected "no," they emphasize that family medicine training provides room to pivot, experiment and continue building a career aligned with personal values.

• AAFP Family Medicine Career Options

• AAFP Find a Job in Family Medicine

• AAFP CareerLink

• AAFP Career Resources for Members

00:00 Family Medicine Career Plot Twists 01:23 Why they chose family medicine 03:21 When a career "no" creates a new path 05:00 Discovering an unexpected passion for academics 07:10 Why family medicine offers career flexibility 10:54 Advice for navigating a career plot twist 11:35 Knowing your value and finding the right job fit 13:11 Mentorship, networking and leaning on your community 15:13 If your family medicine career were a novel 17:54 Closing thoughts and career resources

In this episode of CME On the Go, family physicians Janet West, MD, and Michelle Chestovich, MD, share deeply personal experiences with suicide and explore why physicians can struggle to recognize and address mental health challenges in themselves and their colleagues. Through their stories, they examine the culture of medicine, the stigma surrounding mental health treatment, and the importance of creating environments where asking for help is viewed as a strength rather than a weakness.

Janet shares her experience surviving a suicide attempt in 2023 and reflects on how perfectionism, independence and the pressure to perform contributed to her difficulty recognizing and responding to her own mental health crisis. She explains how chronic stress and an overwhelmed nervous system can influence emotional regulation, cognitive distortions, and feelings of hopelessness. The conversation also examines how fears surrounding professional reputation, licensing and burdening colleagues can prevent physicians from seeking support, even when they recognize similar warning signs in their patients.

Michelle shares the loss of her sister, physician Gretchen Butler, to suicide in 2021 and identifies three areas she believes are essential to prevention: reducing mental health stigma, addressing dangerous levels of sleep deprivation and recognizing when someone needs help. She discusses how the expectation to continue working despite exhaustion or personal distress can have serious consequences and encourages physicians and health care organizations to reconsider workplace practices that normalize these conditions.

Together, Janet and Michelle offer practical guidance for supporting colleagues who may be struggling, including asking direct questions about suicide, recognizing changes in behavior, encouraging professional mental health treatment and considering training programs such as Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR). They emphasize that physicians are not immune to mental health challenges, and that meaningful prevention requires individual awareness, connection, and a shift in medical culture toward prioritizing physician well-being.

Learning objectives

1. Recognize factors associated with physician suicide risk, including biological, cultural, and professional influences, to support earlier identification of colleagues experiencing psychological distress.

1. Identify opportunities to recognize and respond to colleagues at risk for suicide, including behavioral warning signs and direct disclosures of distress.

1. Apply evidence-informed communication strategies to engage colleagues or patients at risk for suicide, connect them with appropriate support resources, and provide ongoing follow-up.

The AAFP has reviewed CME On the Go, Season 3 and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit(s). Term of Approval is from 09/30/2026 to 07/06/2028. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This session, "CME | When Colleagues Are Struggling" Is approved for 0.50 credits Enduring Materials, Self-Study, AAFP Prescribed credit(s).

The AAFP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Academy of Family Physicians designates this Enduring Materials activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

After listening to the podcast episode, claim 0.5 AAFP credit by following the provided link.

https://www.aafp.org/assessment/take/21262/e

References

Makhija, H., Davidson, J. E., Lee, K. C., Barnes, A., Choflet, A., & Zisook, S. (2025). National incidence of physician suicide and associated features. JAMA Psychiatry, 82(5), 451-458. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4816

Porges, S. W. (2022). Polyvagal theory: A science of safety. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 16, Article 871227. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2022.871227

Chu, C., Buchman-Schmitt, J. M., Stanley, I. H., Hom, M. A., Tucker, R. P., Hagan, C. R., Rogers, M. L., Podlogar, M. C., Chiurliza, B., Ringer-Moberg, F. B., Michaels, M. S., Patros, C., & Joiner, T. E. (2017). Interpersonal theory of suicide: A systematic review and meta-analysis after a decade of cross-national research. Psychological Bulletin, 143(12), 1313-1345. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000123

Jobes, D. A. (2023). Managing suicidal risk: A collaborative approach. The Guilford Press.

Disclosure: It is the policy of the AAFP that all individuals in a position to control content disclose any relationships with commercial interests upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, conflicts are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity. All individuals in a position to control content for this session have indicated they have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of Fighting for Family Medicine, AAFP Vice President of Government Relations David Tully recaps the Academy's September advocacy efforts before sitting down with Julie Harrison, Senior Manager of State Affairs and Member Advocacy, to examine some of the biggest policy trends and state-level wins for family medicine during the 2026 legislative sessions.

Tully highlights the AAFP's advocacy efforts during the months of August and September, including immunizations, Medicare physician payment, prior authorization, rural obstetric care and the primary care workforce. He also reviews several regulatory issues the AAFP weighed in over the past several weeks.

The conversation then turns to state legislatures, where Julie identifies four major themes from 2026: scope of practice, insurer reform, physician workforce investment, and increased attention to primary care investment. She highlights efforts involving prior authorization and insurer downcoding, loan repayment and physician recruitment, primary care spending and policies supporting physician-led, team-based care. The AAFP maintains state policy resources covering these issues, including backgrounders on prior authorization, primary care spending, scope of practice and workforce policy.

Julie also explains why state advocacy matters even for physicians who do not consider themselves policy experts. She encourages family physicians to stay connected with their state chapters, use AAFP advocacy resources, and respond when opportunities arise to contact lawmakers or share firsthand experiences from practice. The episode emphasizes that many policies affecting day-to-day patient care and medical practice are decided at the state level — and that physician participation can help inform those decisions.

Episode hosts

David Tully

Vice president of government relations and member of the AAFP advocacy team

Julie Harrison

Sr. Manager, State Affairs and Member Advocacy

Resources

• State advocacy for family physicians

• State legislative backgrounders for family physicians

• Model health legislation library

• AAFP Letter to Congressional leadership urging action on critical AAFP priorities

• AAFP Letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee and Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee on Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act - July 14, 2026

• Initial Response to RFI on Federal Vaccine Categories - August 24, 2026

• Family Physicians: Vaccines Essential to Preventing Serious Illness and Death | AAFP

• Immunizations And Vaccines For Family Physicians | AAFP

• AAFP Announces Fall Immunization Recommendations to Protect Patients and Communities | AAFP

• AAFP Letter to Congressional leadership urging action on critical AAFP priorities

• AAFP Comments to CMS on the CY 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule - September 11, 2026

• Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Takes Important Steps to Bolster Primary Care | AAFP

• AAFP Response to CMS-CDC on CLIA Request for Information - September 9, 2026

• AAFP Letter for Energy and Commerce Hearing on Physician Payment Legislation - September 15, 2026

Topics By Timestamp

00:00 September advocacy roundup 00:35 Fall immunization recommendations and vaccine access 01:53 Medicare payment, prior authorization and rural care advocacy 03:09 Regulatory updates affecting family physicians 05:59 Looking back at the 2026 state legislative sessions 06:30 Four major state policy trends for family medicine 10:02 Prior authorization and insurer reform victories 11:26 Primary care investment and workforce initiatives 13:52 Protecting physician-led, team-based care 16:39 How family physicians can get involved in state advocacy

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this special sponsored episode of the Inside Family Medicine podcast, brought to you by Shionogi, host Darren Sextro talks with family physician Ben Silverberg, MD, about ensitrelvir, a newly approved oral medication for COVID-19 post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).

Dr. Silverberg explains how the medication works to inhibit viral replication and discusses findings from the Phase III SCORPIO-PEP trial, which evaluated ensitrelvir among household contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19. The conversation highlights the importance of starting post-exposure prophylaxis quickly, along with safety considerations, potential drug interactions and factors family physicians may evaluate when determining whether a patient may be eligible.

The discussion also explores how this new option may fit alongside vaccination and other COVID-19 prevention strategies, particularly during respiratory illness season. Dr. Silverberg discusses patients who may benefit from a conversation about PEP after a known exposure, including older adults, people with chronic conditions, individuals who are not up to date on vaccination and those who may face significant challenges if they become ill. Throughout the episode, he emphasizes the role family physicians can play in helping patients understand their options and navigate COVID-19 prevention as the virus continues to evolve.

References and resources

• Ensitrelvir for Covid-19 Postexposure Prophylaxis in Household Contacts — New England Journal of Medicine

• Shionogi Announces FDA Approval of XOCOVA® (ensitrelvir), the First and Only Oral Option to Help Prevent COVID-19 Following Exposure

AAFP resources related to COVID-19 prevention

• Immunizations And Vaccines For Family Physicians | AAFP

• COVID-19 antiviral treatment | Family Doctor

Topics by timestamp

00:00 Introduction 01:27 A new option for COVID-19 post-exposure prevention 01:58 What is ensitrelvir and how does it work? 03:21 Preventing COVID-19 spread within households 03:46 Clinical considerations for family physicians 04:03 Inside the SCORPIO-PEP trial 05:00 Effectiveness and importance of early treatment 05:29 Safety profile and adverse events 06:12 Which patients may be appropriate candidates? 07:00 Patients who may benefit during respiratory season 07:23 Key takeaways for talking with patients 07:43 Vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis 08:18 Closing thoughts and COVID-19 resources

This episode is brought to you by Shionogi.

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of the Inside Family Medicine podcast, host Michael Monroe talks with Margot Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP, AAFP chief medical officer and senior vice president for education, inclusiveness and physician well-being, and Danielle Carter, MD, FAAFP, about how the Academy develops evidence-based immunization recommendations in a changing vaccine policy environment.

They explain how the AAFP historically worked alongside the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other medical organizations to review vaccine evidence and translate it into practical guidance for family physicians. Savoy and Carter discuss why that process needed to evolve beginning in 2025 and how the AAFP has built a new approach designed to preserve rigorous evidence review, transparency and independence from nonscientific influence.

They walk through the new process, including evidence synthesis from the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP), collaboration with other medical societies and review by the AAFP's Vaccine Evidence Review Council, Commission on Health of the Public and Science (CHPS) and Board of Directors. The goal remains the same: provide recommendations that family physicians can trust and realistically implement in everyday practice.

The episode also turns to the questions physicians are hearing from patients as respiratory virus season begins. Carter reviews common questions surrounding COVID-19, RSV and influenza vaccination and discusses how family physicians can tailor recommendations to each patient's age, health conditions, pregnancy status and individual concerns. Savoy and Carter emphasize that vaccine hesitancy is often an opportunity for conversation rather than a simple yes-or-no position, and that listening to patients' concerns can strengthen trust well beyond immunization decisions.

References and resources

• Immunization and vaccine schedules and resources

• Respiratory virus vaccines: Clinical guidance and resources

• Familydoctor.org

Topics by Timestamp

00:00 Vaccine Hesitancy 00:55 How AAFP vaccine recommendations were traditionally developed 03:44 Why the vaccine recommendation process changed 05:22 How the AAFP's new evidence review process works 08:39 Family physicians take the lead in reviewing evidence 11:18 How recommendations receive final AAFP approval 13:53 What patients are asking about fall vaccines 15:58 COVID-19, RSV and flu recommendations 18:28 Talking with patients who have vaccine concerns 21:31 Why trusted family physicians still make a difference

Disclaimer

Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of Inside Family Medicine, host Margot L. Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP, talks with family medicine residents Katie Allan, MD, and Bridget Bunda, MD, recipients of the AAFP Foundation's Family Medicine Cares Resident Service Award. They share how a community-identified need in Boise grew into a resident-supported program providing wound care, health screenings and other services to people experiencing homelessness.

The conversation explores what it means to meet patients where they are, build trust through consistency and listen before acting. Allan and Bunda also discuss how Foundation support helped them expand street- and shelter-based care, involve more residents and build the work into their training program. Their advice for students and residents with big ideas is simple: find your people, follow what sparks your curiosity and be willing to take a chance.

Topics by timestamp

00:00 Introduction 01:07 Meet Katie Allan and Bridget Bunda 04:12 Bringing health care to people experiencing homelessness 07:01 Expanding street and shelter-based care in Boise 09:18 Homelessness and housing challenges in the community 16:36 How AAFP Foundation support helped the project grow 20:42 Developing leadership and building a sustainable program 24:38 How the experience is shaping their careers 27:30 Advice for students and residents with big ideas 35:07 What gives them hope for the future of family medicine

Learn more about AAFP Foundation programs, award opportunities and ways to support the future of family medicine through the AAFP Foundation.

• AAFP Foundation homepage

• Family Medicine Leads Emerging Leader Institute

• Family Medicine Cares Resident Service Award

• Foundation annual report

• Ways to support the Foundation

• AAFP Foundation programs

Disclaimer

Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Join David Tully, vice president of government relations and a member of the AAFP's advocacy team, and Julie Riley, AAFP manager of legislative affairs, for this episode of Inside Family Medicine as they dive into the Academy's work to protect vaccine access and evidence-based immunization policy at the federal and state levels.

Get updates on the AAFP's priorities around vaccine coverage and infrastructure, including efforts to close Medicare vaccine coverage gaps, protect immunization programs and preserve science-based vaccine recommendations. Also catch up on recent changes affecting the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the AAFP's response to federal actions involving childhood vaccine recommendations and the importance of working through coalitions to strengthen advocacy.

Listen for tips on how your trusted relationships with patients can support vaccine confidence and make an impact beyond the exam room, then amplify your experiences with policymakers by:

• Participating in AAFP Speak Out campaigns

• Staying connected with your state chapter

• Becoming an Advocacy Ambassador to help shape policies affecting vaccines, patients and family medicine

Topics

00:00 FFFM Vaccine Advocacy 01:01 AAFP vaccine advocacy priorities 02:21 Protecting vaccine infrastructure and science-based recommendations 03:35 How the AAFP is responding to federal vaccine policy changes 05:24 The "Gold Standard" vaccine recommendations executive order 07:26 New federal vaccine policy and physician input 09:09 Why vaccine advocacy depends on coalitions 12:25 Family physicians as trusted vaccine messengers 14:00 Current advocacy opportunities for family physicians

Additional resources

• AAFP vaccine advocacy

• AAFP member advocacy

• Speak Out tool

• Resources and clinical guidance: Immunizations and vaccines for family physicians

• Immunization and vaccine schedules and resources

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026, AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. The AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of the Inside Family Medicine podcast, host Adam Bradley, AAFP Manager of Student Choice, explores how Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIGs) help medical students discover the possibilities within family medicine.

Student leaders Sharleen Cineas of Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and Gabriella Morin of East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine share what drew them to family medicine. They discuss the specialty's emphasis on treating the whole person, caring for patients throughout their lives and understanding the social and community factors that influence health.

The conversation highlights how FMIG involvement can provide students with mentorship, community, leadership experience and opportunities to advocate for patients. They discuss how their FMIGs helped them build confidence, connect with family physicians and explore the wide range of procedures, fellowships and career paths available within the specialty.

They also share successful events organized by their award-winning FMIGs, including community health fairs and hands-on clinical procedure workshops. The discussion offers practical ideas for planning affordable events, forming partnerships, recruiting members and building an FMIG leadership team that can sustain the organization over time.

Topics

00:00 Introduction 00:55 Meet the FMIG student leaders 02:09 What drew the students to family medicine 02:22 Gabriella's path to family medicine 04:41 Charlene's whole-person approach to care 06:02 How FMIG solidifies interest in family medicine 07:03 Developing leadership skills through FMIG 10:43 Recognizing award-winning FMIG program 11:03 Building a collaborative community health fair 12:31 Creating a hands-on procedures workshop 13:41 Affordable ideas for FMIG events 16:56 Advice for starting or rebuilding an FMIG 19:44 Advice for aspiring FMIG leaders 20:59 How FMIG involvement shapes medical school 23:01 Making the most of the FUTURE conference 24:32 Closing thoughts and FMIG resources

Resources

• Family Medicine Interest Groups (FMIG) homepage

• FMIG Program of Excellence Award

• Family Medicine Champions program

• Student Membership

• Strolling Through the Match

• Residency Directory

• Student leadership opportunities

• AAFP advocacy resources

Disclaimer

Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of CME On the Go, our hosts explore artificial intelligence as a partner in whole-person care and examine how family physicians can thoughtfully incorporate AI into clinical practice without losing the human judgment and relationships at the heart of family medicine.

They break down what today's AI tools can – and cannot – do, including the differences between traditional artificial intelligence, large language models and the still-theoretical concept of artificial general intelligence. The conversation addresses common concerns surrounding AI, including hallucinations, bias, privacy, environmental impact, workforce disruption and health equity. Throughout the discussion, the hosts emphasize a "trust but verify" approach and the importance of keeping physicians in the decision-making loop rather than treating AI-generated information as a final clinical answer.

The hosts also examine current clinical applications of AI, with particular attention to ambient documentation tools and their potential to reduce documentation burden. They discuss how family physicians can evaluate new technology by considering whether it improves workflow, integrates with existing systems, protects patient information, provides sufficient transparency and actually solves a problem clinicians experience. The conversation also explores the importance of accountability, explainability and recognizing how inaccurate or poorly implemented alerts and recommendations can contribute to clinician burden rather than reduce it.

Finally, the hosts look at how family physicians can help shape the future of AI in health care. They offer practical guidance for selecting and implementing tools, working with clinical informatics and IT teams, providing feedback to technology developers and using more specific prompts to improve AI-generated results. They emphasize that successful AI adoption depends not simply on technological capability or accuracy, but on thoughtful implementation, organizational culture and meaningful clinician involvement. Above all, they encourage family physicians to develop AI literacy, maintain healthy skepticism and ensure that human judgment remains central to patient care.

Learning objectives

1. Evaluate the capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI-driven tools in supporting decision-making, patient safety, and whole-person care within Family Medicine practice.

1. Explore the use of AI-enabled documentation and workflow optimization tools to reduce administrative burden, enhance efficiency, and strengthen communication across the care team.

1. Develop a strategic plan for implementing AI technologies that uphold data privacy, minimize bias, and promote human-centered, ethical use in healthcare settings.

The AAFP has reviewed CME On the Go, Season 3 and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit(s). Term of Approval is from 08/20/2026 to 07/06/2028. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This session, "CME | Beyond the Hype: Using AI as a Partner in Whole-Person Care," is approved for 0.50 credits Enduring Materials, Self-Study, AAFP Prescribed credit(s).

The AAFP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Academy of Family Physicians designates this Enduring Materials activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

After listening to the podcast episode, claim 0.5 AAFP credit by following the provided link.

https://www.aafp.org/assessment/take/20856/e

Disclosure: It is the policy of the AAFP that all individuals in a position to control content disclose any relationships with commercial interests upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest and, if identified, conflicts are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who had no conflict of interest or who agreed to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity. All individuals in a position to control content for this session have indicated they have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.

In this episode of the Inside Family Medicine podcast, AAFP Executive Vice President and CEO, Shawn Martin, speaks with a panel of family medicine leaders about the Residency Selection Improvement Initiative, or RSII, and its goal of creating a more effective, efficient and equitable residency selection process.

Guests Karen Mitchell, MD, FAAFP, AAFP Vice President of National Residency and Academic Partnerships; Grace Chen Yu, MD, FAAFP; Raj Woolever, MD, FAAFP; Saroj Misra, DO, FACOFP; and Molly Stegman, MD, discuss the challenges applicants and residency programs face as the number of family medicine programs and available positions continue to grow. They explain how inconsistent program information, compressed interview timelines and increasingly complex application strategies can contribute to unnecessary stress, uncertainty and expense.

The conversation explores RSII's four priority areas: establishing centralized and specialty-specific program information, improving the residency interview process, supporting international medical graduates and multispecialty applicants, and helping programs identify applicants who are committed to family medicine.

Panelists also discuss practical recommendations for making interview offers more transparent and predictable, expanding meaningful application review and creating stronger alignment between an applicant's values and a program's mission. The episode concludes with actionable guidance for residency programs, medical schools and applicants preparing for the next Match cycle.

Learn more about the Residency Selection Improvement Initiative and access recommendations and resources for applicants and residency programs at aafp.org/rsii.

Topics by Timestamps

00:00 Introduction 01:01 Meet the panel 01:42 What is the Residency Selection Improvement Initiative? 02:49 Building RSII through collaboration 03:41 The initiative's four priority areas 04:43 What applicants want to know about residency programs 05:41 Creating a centralized source for program information 06:37 Improving the residency interview process 08:35 Recommendations for residency interview offers 10:08 The applicant experience during interview season 13:13 Making the process more transparent and equitable 13:32 Supporting international graduates and multispecialty applicants 16:37 Identifying applicants committed to family medicine 17:38 Aligning applicants with program missions and values 19:55 What a better Match could look like 21:08 Practical recommendations for residency programs 21:54 Advice for family medicine applicants 22:29 How medical schools can better support students 23:01 One thing to remember about RSII 23:47 Closing remarks and RSII resources

Resources

• Residency Selection Improvement Initiative (RSII)

• AAFP residency initiative drives changes for 2027 Match

• AAFP launches initiative to improve family medicine Match

• RSII Interview Guidelines

• RSII Signals

• Residency Explorer™ tool

• AAFP Residency Program Resources

• AAFP Medical Student and Resident hubs

Disclaimer

Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of the American Academy of Family Physicians.