Patient Center »Patient and Family Support »Patient and Family Advisory Council

Dignity and Respect

The Patient & Family Advisory Program is based on the principles of Patient-and Family-Centered Care, which is an approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health care that is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among patients, families and health care providers. It is founded on the understanding that the family plays a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of patients of all ages. In Patient- and Family-Centered Care, patients and families define their "family" and determine how they will participate in care and decision-making. The four principles of Patient- and Family-Centered Care are:

Health care providers listen to and honor patient and family perspectives and choices. Patient and family knowledge, values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds are incorporated into care planning and decision-making.

Information Sharing

Health care providers communicate and share complete and unbiased information with patients and families in ways that are affirming and useful. Patients and families receive timely, complete, accurate information in order to effectively participate in care and decision-making.

Participation

Patients and families are encouraged and supported in participating in care and decision-making at the level they choose.

Collaboration

Patients, families and providers collaborate in policy and program development, implementation and assessment; in health care facility design; and in professional education, as well as in the delivery of care.

*Reprinted with the permission of the Institute for Family-Centered Care. To find out more about the Institute for Family Centered Care, please visit the following link: www.familycenteredcare.org.

The Patient and Family Advisory Council meet on the third Monday of each month. While the council is facilitated by Fox Chase patients and family members, medical and administrative staffs at Fox Chase are staff advisors and are present on a regular basis. For more information, please contact Cyrene High (Staff Advisor) at cyrene.high@fccc.edu or Kim Hagerich (Patient Advisor/Co-Chair of PFAC) at kim.hagerich@fccc.edu