Instructions for Authors for Full Curriculum Submissions

Proposals are accepted on an ongoing basis, but only one author/authoring group is selected for each topic. As authors are assigned, topics are removed from the "unassigned" topic list.

Accepted curriculum will be copyrighted and become the property of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) and the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors (AFMRD). Authors retain the right to modify and or/use the content within their program(s), but may not sell the curriculum or publish it on a website or academic resource.

Submission Process

Review the list of unassigned topics and the list of topics needing a new champion/author and select a topic of interest to you.

Create an outline of the proposed learning session. You'll submit this for consideration before creating your curriculum. If you are submitting as a New Champion of an existing curriculum, please include "New Champion" in your submission title.

Proposals will be reviewed by an associate editor, using this scoring rubric. You should receive an emailed response within 2 months. Possible proposal responses:

  1. Rejection based on quality of proposal
  2. Accepted proposal
  3. Rejection due to closed topic but good proposal – resubmit for new topic

If your proposal/outline is accepted, you will then design the full learning session following the principles described here. Sample curriculum

Image Description

TIP

Our goal is to offer high quality, evidence based, interactive learning sessions, rather than didactic lectures. Learners retain more when actively engaged. Check out The Brain Rules by John Medina. Pay close attention to the timing requirements to retain memory.

Submit Your Proposal

Preparing Your Curriculum After Accepted Proposal

  • Include case studies that allow for problem solving and that illustrate your key learning points. Examples of problem solving include questions that can be answered in small groups or using audience response systems. View a sample curriculum.
  • Create a facilitators' guide⁠—on the Word template⁠—that includes:
    • Learning objectives
    • Key learning points
    • Step-by-step instructions for teaching the curriculum
    • A quiz with answer key (see #5)
    • References/citations in AMA format
  • If using PowerPoint slides:
    • Use one of the PowerPoint templates, Standard or Widescreen. Do not change the fonts or type in all capital letters.
    • Make the slides lean on text, illustrative, and have them present key points and evidence without overwhelming learners. A good session may have as few as 10-20 slides.
    • Begin with the learning objectives, followed by key learning points.
    • Cite all references in the space provided in the lower right-hand corner of the slides. The citation should include the author's last name and the year of publication. Include complete citations in your facilitators' guide. Please cite judiciously, as you would if you were writing a journal article.
    • End with summary slides that repeat and clarify the key learning points.
  • Use video and/or still images as much as possible to illustrate examples. Content must be your own or used with written permission of the original owner. For any photos, illustrations, tables, or graphs that you don't own (you didn't create, purchase or receive as a gift), you’ll need to submit documentation (often an intellectual property permissions form) from the owner granting you permission to use the content. “Acknowledging the source of the copyrighted material does not substitute for obtaining permission” (U.S. Copyright Office).
  • Develop a quiz—on the Word template⁠—with at least five questions tied to the key learning points of your session. This can be used before and/or after the session. An answer key should be provided in the facilitators' guide with short explanation paragraphs for each answer.
  • All learning sessions should be submitted with the following technical specifications:
    • Slides—as PowerPoint files (2003 or higher using the Residency Curriculum Resource templates, Standard or Widescreen.)
    • Word documents—Word 2003 or higher using the Residency Curriculum Resource Word template
    • PDF documents
    • Video content (preferably in 1280 x 720 HD resolution)
    • Other creative cross-platform media (i.e. apps, e-books, etc.)
  • Review this checklist before submitting your curriculum to your editor.
  • After your final presentation is accepted, cite your work as follows: Author last name, first initial. Presentation Title. STFM and AFMRD Family Medicine Residency Curriculum Resource. Year.
  • When completing revisions, cite your work as follows: Author last name, first initial. Presentation Title. (revision) STFM and AFMRD Family Medicine Residency Curriculum Resource. Year.