Privacy Policy

The New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians (NJAFP) is committed to protecting the privacy of its members and customers. NJAFP maintains safeguards to store and secure information about its members and customers. The safeguards may be physical, electronic, or procedural. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes: (i) how the NJAFP collects information from its websites and through your other voluntary interactions with the NJAFP; and (ii) how NJAFP uses this information. With respect to websites, please note that this Policy applies only to the NJAFP’s websites and not to the websites of unrelated third-party companies or organizations to which the NJAFP provides links, or to any software that may be downloaded from the NJAFP’s websites.

By visiting the NJAFP’s websites (i.e., www.njafp.org, njfamilydocs.org, fammedforum.com), becoming a member or customer, or otherwise voluntarily submitting information to the NJAFP, you agree to this Policy. The NJAFP reserves the right to make changes to this Policy at any time; in such case, NJAFP will post a notice that this Policy has been modified by revising the “Last updated” date at the bottom of this page.

What information does NJAFP collect?

The NJAFP collects two types of information: (1) non-personally identifiable information for everyone who visits its websites; and (2) personally identifiable information for members, registered website users, and anyone who purchases or requests products, services, or information.

Non-personally identifiable information

The NJAFP employs cookies to collect information about all visitors to NJAFP websites, including pages viewed and the order visited, terms used in searching NJAFP websites, and products investigated or purchased. NJAFP uses cookies to offer greater functionality, and the information generated from these cookies is used to help determine which services are most important and to guide editorial and business decisions.

Users who do not desire the functionality offered by cookies may disable cookie functionality in their browsers or through settings on their mobile devices; however, users who do so may not be able to use some features of NJAFP websites. For example, a registered user must have cookies enabled in order to access the registered-user sections of the NJAFP websites.

For system administration and troubleshooting, the NJAFP also logs the originating Internet Protocol (IP) address, the browser and operating system used, and information about your individual use, such as time and date of visits, duration of sessions, and other similar usage or system data.

The NJAFP collects this non-personally identifiable information from users who are browsing the public areas of NJAFP websites. The NJAFP may review this information if a user's account is associated with: (i) attempts to violate the security of NJAFP computer networks; (ii) activity that degrades the performance of NJAFP websites; or (iii) activity that might be related to copyright or other violations. The NJAFP may also use this information in conjunction with personally identifiable information (as set forth below under “How does the NJAFP use information collected?”).

Personally identifiable information

In addition to the non-personally identifiable items listed above, the NJAFP records the user’s name and member/customer ID number for all registered users (i.e., users who have logged into a password-protected area of an NJAFP website). In the course of using NJAFP websites, a user may be asked to provide personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address, zip code, email address, telephone number, fax number, credit card payment information) in order to purchase a product, participate in an NJAFP activity, subscribe to a journal, request information, or otherwise interact with the NJAFP. In addition, users may be asked to update their contact information.

The NJAFP also collects email addresses provided via membership applications and renewals, website registrations, product purchases, member surveys, downloads of certain materials, email communication sign-ups, and comments made in discussion threads on NJAFP websites.

Important note for NJAFP members: The NJAFP also maintains a membership database. The information in this database (e.g., National Provider Identifier [NPI] numbers; demographic information, such as education and specialty) is drawn from membership applications, dues payment forms, subscriptions, product orders, continuing medical education (CME) reporting, public databases, member surveys, and other correspondence between the NJAFP and its members or chapters.

Credit card information: The NJAFP does not disclose the credit card account information or activity of its customers. When members and customers pay using their credit cards, the NJAFP submits this information encrypted to obtain payment from the appropriate clearing house. If credit card numbers are stored in NJAFP databases, they are encrypted.

How does the NJAFP use information collected?

The NJAFP uses the information it collects to better serve members, customers, and visitors to the NJAFP websites in the following ways:

NJAFP services and products

The NJAFP uses information collected to improve its web content, to respond to visitor needs and preferences, and to develop new products and services. For example, the NJAFP will combine non-personally identifiable information (e.g., data stored in cookies, user’s IP address) with personally identifiable information (e.g., user’s name, member/customer ID, email address) to offer products and services that may be of specific interest to the user.

Disclosure to third parties

The NJAFP makes member contact information available in its online membership directory only to other members of the NJAFP who have verified their membership status before entering the online membership directory. The NJAFP may also make your contact information and/or other personally identifiable information publicly available in connection with NJAFP programs and events or for other purposes, as permitted by you. The NJAFP also shares membership, demographic, CME, and/or contact information with organizations such as the following: the American Academy of Family Physicians, NJAFP/Foundation; NJAFP/PAC; a member's residency program(s); and the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM).

The NJAFP also may share CME activity participation records with medical licensing boards (which may include CME reporting agents and/or contractors of those boards). Such records may include, but not be limited to: the member’s name and license number; the name and date of the CME activity; and the number of credits received for participation in the CME activity. In connection with the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, CME attendees’ names, addresses, license numbers, states of licensure, and any transfers of value may be shared with the CME activities’ funders.

The NJAFP also may disclose limited personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address, email address, NPI number, purchase information) to outside service providers that help the NJAFP offer products, services, and information. For example, the NJAFP may work with outside service providers to: (i) distribute emails or make telephone solicitations; (ii) assist with direct marketing, customize journal advertisements, and collect data; (iii) help detect and prevent fraud; and (iv) otherwise assist the NJAFP in enhancing its products, services, and other offerings, and serving its members and customers. The NJAFP requires that these outside service providers agree to keep confidential all such information and to use it for the purposes designated by the NJAFP.

Like many other organizations, the NJAFP may use outside marketing companies to place and monitor advertisements or links on NJAFP websites and on other websites. These companies may use non-personally identifiable information (e.g., links clicked on during a visit, browser type, time and date, subject of advertisements clicked on or scrolled over) and personally identifiable information (e.g., NPI number) during your visits to NJAFP websites and other websites in order to provide advertisements about products and services more likely to be of interest to you. These companies typically use a cookie or a third-party web beacon to collect this information. The NJAFP is not responsible for the collection or use of information by such marketing companies or third-party websites.

On occasion, the NJAFP also may provide, either itself or through an outside service provider, personally identifiable information (e.g., name, address, demographic information) to third parties that offer their own CME, products, or services deemed of potential interest to members and/or to the clinical or socioeconomic practice of medicine. These third parties only receive names and addresses; they do not receive phone numbers, fax numbers, or email addresses.

Emails

Once someone voluntarily provides an email address, the NJAFP assumes it has permission to email that person with questions, transaction follow-up, and advertisements, and to send bulk email messages. The NJAFP collects data to track the effectiveness of emails, which enables the NJAFP to better serve its audiences.

As noted earlier, there are instances in which the NJAFP will share email addresses of its members and customers with outside service providers who assist the NJAFP in offering its products and services and who are under an obligation of confidentiality; however, the NJAFP does not sell or rent the email addresses of its members and customers.

Disclosure required by law or emergency circumstances

The NJAFP may release personal information to third parties in order to comply with legal requirements.

External relationships

NJAFP has agreements with other organizations that offer products and services through NJAFP websites or third party agreements. When the user interacts with these organizations on the organizations’ websites, whether as a result of following links from an NJAFP website, within an NJAFP email, or otherwise, different rules and privacy policies may apply. Since NJAFP does not control the collection of information or the use of information collected via these other organizations’ websites, the NJAFP is not responsible for their privacy practices, security, or content.

Opting out

While the NJAFP hopes that the information in this Policy helps you understand how NJAFP uses and protects your information to provide you with better service, you may still choose not to receive information from the NJAFP.

Email opt-out

All of the NJAFP’s marketing emails and some of its informational emails include a link for unsubscribing. Registered users on the NJAFP’s websites also can log in to the “My Account” section to change their email preferences. The NJAFP will apply your unsubscribe request as quickly as possible. However, because there may be email campaigns already in progress, you may continue to receive emails from the NJAFP for a few days. The NJAFP requires up to 10 days to apply your unsubscribe request. After this time, you should no longer receive marketing or informational emails from the NJAFP. You may still receive emails regarding your transactions (e.g., confirmation that you have placed an order).

Direct mail opt-out

To discontinue receipt of the NJAFP’s catalogs and direct mail promotions, please call the NJAFP at (609) 294-1711. Your request will be processed as quickly as possible. However, due to mailing lead times, it is possible that you may receive a few more mailings from the NJAFP. After six to eight weeks, you should no longer receive mailings from the NJAFP.