Annals of Family Medicine

Abstract Ménière’s disease, a chronic disorder of the inner ear, has brought one physician a great deal of both suffering and insight. A variety of treatment options, including dietary changes and medications, have failed to help. However, the physician has found relief from a number of unexpected sources, including meditation, his social support network, and even his six-year-old child. The lessons he has learned have made him a more knowledgeable and empathetic physician.

Abstract PURPOSE Health system ownership of physician practices has grown rapidly, yet little is known about how health system structures and processes affect primary care physicians’ day-to-day experiences while delivering care. We aimed to examine how practice ownership influences physician experiences with autonomy, care coordination, infrastructure, and patient relationships in health system–owned versus independent primary care practices.

Research ArticleOriginal Research A Randomized Controlled Trial of Social Prescribing: Comparing a Comprehensive Navigation Model With Signposting Simone Dahrouge, Alain P. Gauthier, François Durand, Manon Lemonde, Patrick Timony, Kiran Saluja, Claire E.

The Paradoxes of Social Care: Reframing Apparent Conflicts Laura R. Porterfield, Christen M. Walcher, Zuleica M. Santiago Delgado, Cathy Z. Xie, Elizabeth M. Vaughan and Kendall M. Campbell Abstract PURPOSE Social care—health care that aims to understand and address patients’ social needs—is increasingly recognized as a strategy for reducing disparities. However, social care literature is characterized by numerous conflicts.

Abstract PURPOSE The rapid expansion of medical information highlights the importance of physicians being trained in self-directed learning (SDL) so that they can adapt their practice to incorporate current evidence. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education highlight SDL as a key training outcome, but residency program integration of this training is not clear.

Legislators can reduce health care costs and improve the nation’s health by taking specific steps to invest more in primary care, a past AAFP president testified in a May 20, 2026 congressional hearing. Steven Furr, MD, FAAFP, told the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health how patients at his Jackson, Alabama, clinic—and doctors and patients throughout the country—are harmed by an outdated Medicare physician payment system that needs urgent reform.

Research ArticleOriginal Research Naturalistic Decision-Making Patterns in Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity Self-Care: A Qualitative Study Jianing Yu, Haoyang Du, Manjun Wang, Junqiang Zhao, Yufeng Zhou, Erxu Xue, Lijin Chen, Hui Zhang and Jing Shao Abstract PURPOSE Self-care is central to managing cardiometabolic multimorbidity, yet primary care clinicians have limited insight into how patients navigate self-care decisions in daily life.

Abstract PURPOSE Widespread change toward transactional and technological health care is contrary to the generalist philosophy and is challenging the ability of family medicine physicians to enact its values and meet patient needs. This research seeks to build understanding of generalism by asking international generalist physicians to reflect on the often tacit features of generalism that provide much of its value. METHODS Researchers conducted a 2-phase qualitative study.

Research ArticleOriginal Research Association of General Practice Continuity With Hospital Admissions and Costs: A Retrospective Study Marije T. te Winkel, Annemarie A. Uijen, Birgit I. Lissenberg-Witte, Rob J. van Marum, Henk J. Schers, Pauline Slottje, Jettie Bont and Otto R. Maarsingh Abstract PURPOSE Continuity of care has been associated with lower health care use and costs.

Abstract As obstetric services disappear from rural communities, family physicians are increasingly asked whether operative maternity care remains part of their role. This reflection argues that maintaining cesarean delivery capacity is not an expansion of scope, but a commitment to continuity and to remaining present for patients at moments of greatest vulnerability.