On February 1, 2018, AFP will have its first new editor-in-chief in 29 years. In an interview this past week, Dr. Sumi Sexton shared some of her ideas with me about the journal's online presence (hyperlinks below are my additions):
How do AFP's online platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Community Blog, podcast, website) fit into your overall goals for the journal going forward?
I'd like to engage readers through the various platforms to generate discussion ranging from comments on various articles or AFP features to feedback on what we can do to improve. We don't always have room to include everything we want on a topic in print, so it is nice to be able to include some of these online. I love the concept of Twitter chats, and how the most recent one on antibiotic prescribing incorporated an AFP editorial, a Cochrane for Clinicians, an AHRQ review, and was mentioned on the Community Blog. I look forward to seeing more of that.AFP's Facebook page, Twitter feed, podcast, and Community Blog offer several different ways for readers to connect with us online, but the number of readers who engage with us on those platforms is a relatively small proportion of total AFP subscribers. How might AFP encourage more readers to connect with these platforms?
I intend to brainstorm with the AFP team on how we can enhance an article on a clinical topic through these platforms. For example, the "Diabetes Self-Management" article in the September 15 issue could be enhanced by a more personal story akin to Diary from a Week in Practice which I used to edit and dearly miss. Another example would be to provide information to family docs on what their colleagues are doing; in the September 1 issue, for example, the article on "Aseptic and Bacterial Meningitis" mentions the meningococcal type B vaccines. How many of our readers are giving this vaccine and why or why not?In your recent AAFP news interview, you mentioned wanting to speak with readers "in person and online to see how we can better meet their needs." How do you envision connecting with readers online? What information would you like to learn from them?
It would be interesting to see responses from readers to online polling for certain features like editorials (for example, Controversies in Family Medicine) or articles on more controversial topics (like the article and editorial on "Testosterone Therapy" in the October 1 issue). While it may take a little time to post a comment, it is easy to click on a link to answer a quick yes or no on Twitter or Facebook. In addition to knowing what our readers think about medical topics, I'd like to know how they like to receive information. How could AFP be more accessible at the point of care? Is there anything we can do to make CME through the journal easier for them?
AFP's online presence will certainly continue to grow under Dr. Sexton's leadership, and we'll keep you updated about new tools and ways to connect. In the meantime, what additions would you like to see in AFP's online content?
