Purpose

The Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) provides opportunities for parents and guardians of our patients, along with teenage patients through the Teen Advisory Council (TAC), to collaborate with physician and administrative leaders to enhance patient- and family-centered care at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

What We Do

The PFAC strives to promote patient- and family-centered care with and to help hospital personnel to understand the diverse needs of our patients and families. The Council provides an important voice for families and helps hospital staff to understand their unique perspectives as well as their cultural and spiritual needs. PFAC members volunteer their time in order to share their perspective and insights to help our staff provide compassionate care.

Council members provide feedback in key areas that include:

• Interactions with the staff, environment and culture of Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital 
• Communication with nurses, physicians, other care team members and staff
• Coordination of care and transitions between inpatient stays, emergency center visits, outpatient care and home care
• Creating a child-friendly and supportive experience for patients and their siblings
• Keeping families informed about the plan of care and encouraging parents or guardians to take an active role in their child’s care
• Sharing feedback and suggestions about food for patients and other amenities at the hospital

Accomplishments in recent years include:

• Created an “Ask a Parent” program to help hospital staff seek quick feedback from PFAC members about hospital processes and programs, and to ask in advance about changes that may be considered
• Established a Teen Advisory Council that provides patients age 13 or older an opportunity to share their experiences with each other.
• Organize social events that raise awareness about the PFAC and let hospital staff, patients and families learn more about the council’s work
• Pilot new communication tools to help patients, parents and care team members share information
• Provides insight on how families would like to use the online patient portal to stay up-to-date on their child’s health conditions and upcoming appointments, and communicate with their healthcare team
• Participated in workshops with resident physicians to share firsthand experience on being in the hospital and living with a chronic or acute illness
• Provided insight when designing spaces for patients and families

What Might PFAC Members Do at a Meeting:

PFAC members represent the voice of patients and families at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to improve services and patient-centered care. If you are selected to become a council member, you will be asked to attend monthly meetings consisting of 1-2 hours held September through June. Involvement may consist of:

• Sharing healthcare experience with hospital leadership, staff and other council members
• Participating in group discussions to talk about ideas of how our organization can improve care, quality, safety and services.
• Providing 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 and family centered care across the institution.

Who is Eligible to Serve on PFAC?

In order to become a member of the PFAC you must:

• Be a parent or caregiver of a child currently receiving care at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in an inpatient our outpatient setting
• Complete application process that will include submitting an application, participating in an interview and completing the Volunteer Services screening and onboarding process
• Commit to serve as an advisor for a 2–3-year term and attend meetings regularly
• Have a positive approach and ability to share/see different points of view

Apply today to be a part of the Patient and Family Advisory Council