Patient- and Family-Centered Care
Establishing Patient- and Family-Centered Care
Is your organization considering a move toward patient- and family-centered care? You may have questions about where to begin, how to structure the process, or how to encourage participation and engagement.
Here are some resources to provide background information and help you take the first steps toward improving communication and involving patients and their families in decision-making.
Advancing the Practice of Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PDF)
Published by the Institute for Family-Centered Care, this document provides an overview of the rationale for patient- and family-centered care and offers practical steps, resources, and a tool for assessing how much a family-centered approach is part of your organization's current culture.
Involving Patients in Cancer Care Redesign (PDF)
Created for the Oncology Roundtable, this profile of the operations, benefits, and costs of adult oncology patient and family advisory councils focuses on Dana-Farber's Patient and Family Advisory Council experience.
Making Patient-Centered Care Come Alive (PDF)
This article by Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center staff describes how patients and families are involved in planning, decision-making, and improvement processes at all levels of the organization. It first appeared in the February 2003 Journal of Nursing Administration.
Patients and Families Make a Difference at Dana-Farber
Dana-Farber is considered a national leader in efforts to give patients and families a strong voice in decision making about their care. This article from Dana-Farber's Paths of Progress magazine explains why.
Advisory Councils Add Perspective and Programs
Patient and family handbooks. Clinic space design. Integrative therapy services. Shorter emergency department waits. Just some of the improvements advanced by the Adult and Pediatric Patient and Family Advisory Councils.
How We Began (PDF)
The history and achievements of Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center Adult Patient and Family Advisory Council.
Adult Patient and Family Advisory Council Bylaws (PDF)
The mission statement, guidelines, and member roles for Dana-Farber's adult council.
Patient and Family Advisory Councils Membership Application (PDF)
An application form for interested patients and family members.
Pediatric Patient and Family Advisory Council Handbook (PDF)
This guide sets out the Pediatric PFAC's structure and regulations, as well as listing resources and useful terms.
For more information about Dana-Farber's Patient and Family Advisory Councils, e-mail us at pfac@dfci.harvard.edu or call (617) 632-4319.
