Patient Advisor Role and Responsibilities

Patients and their families are knowledgeable members of the care team and can offer unique perspectives and valuable feedback about their experience at a hospital. Learn more about what it’s like serving on a PFAC (Patient Family Advisory Committee). 

The Purpose and Responsibilities of a PFAC: 

  • Promote respectful, effective partnerships between patients, families, and clinicians. 
  • Increase understanding and cooperation between patients, families, and staff. 
  • Transform the culture towards patient- and family-centered care. 
  • Improve quality, patient safety, and patient health outcomes. 
  • Establish a link between the hospital and the community at large. 

What Might PFAC Members Do at a Meeting? 

  • Share health care experience with doctors, staff and other PFAC members. 
  • Participate in group discussions to talk about ideas for how our healthcare organizations can improve care, quality, safety, and services. 
  • Provide insight from the patient and family perspective about policies, care practices, and patient education materials. 
  • Identify patient and family needs and concerns. 
  • Serve on subcommittees and workgroups to help bring the patient and family perspective to these efforts. 
  • Encourage and support patient-centered care across the institution. 

What Is Patient- and Family-Centered Care?  

  • The philosophy of patient- and family-centered care focuses on: 
  • Respect for patients' values, preferences, and needs. 
  • Coordination of care for more efficiency. 
  • Comfort and emotional support for mental health. 
  • Information, communication, and education. 
  • Involvement of family and friends 
  • Patient advisors are a diverse group of people who enjoy working with others and contributing ideas, while being able to hear and balance different perspectives with compassion and respect. 

To be on a patient and family advisory council, you must: 

  • Adhere to Guthrie Volunteer policies and procedures. 
  • Show dignity and respect for others. 
  • Have an interest in and show concern for improving the health care experience for all patients and their families, beyond your personal experience. 
  • Participate in meetings. 
  • Attend monthly council meetings and serve on committees. 
  • Share your ideas. 
  • Have a positive approach and share ideas and information about experiences in ways that will benefit others, while listening to and respecting different points of view. 
  • Collaborate. 
  • Be able to communicate and cooperate with individuals whose backgrounds, experiences and styles may be different than your own.