The American Academy of Family Physicians is the national association of family doctors. It is one of the largest national medical organizations, with 128,300 members in 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, as well as internationally.

Until October 3, 1971, it was known as the American Academy of General Practice. The name was changed in order to more accurately reflect the changing nature of primary health care.

The AAFP was founded in 1947 to promote and maintain high quality standards for family doctors who are providing continuing comprehensive health care to the public.

Other major purposes of the AAFP include:

• Providing responsible advocacy for and education of patients and the public in all health-related matters
• Preserving and promoting quality cost-effective health care
• Promoting the science and art of family medicine and ensuring an optimal supply of well-trained family physicians
• Promoting and maintaining high standards among physicians who practice family medicine
• Preserving the right of family physicians to engage in medical and surgical procedures for which they are qualified by training and experience
• Providing advocacy, representation, and leadership for the specialty of family medicine
• Maintaining and providing an organization with high standards to fulfill the above purposes and to represent the needs of its members

The AAFP was instrumental in the establishment of family medicine– a derivative of classical general practice– as medicine's 20th primary specialty. The AMA's Council on Medical Education and the independent American Board of Medical Specialties granted approval to a certifying board in family medicine on February 8, 1969. Examinations have been given annually since 1970, and recertification examinations annually since 1976.