Patient Engagement

Committed to Engaging Patients and Families

What is Patient Engagement?

Patients and their families or caregivers are key members of the healthcare system.

When patients, their families, and other caregivers are actively engaged in their healthcare, they experience better health outcomes.

Patient-Centered Care

One of the primary goals of patient engagement is to achieve patient-centered care. This healthcare model emphasizes the need to respect patient and family preferences, values, cultural traditions, and socioeconomic conditions. 

Shared Decision Making

Patient engagement also focuses on providers and patients working together to improve health. By including the patient in the decision-making process, they can implement a treatment plan after discussing the patient’s condition, treatment options, risks and benefits, and patient’s preferences.

Why the Patient Voice Matters

People who get involved and share their experiences can help make healthcare safer and better.

“Patients bring a perspective that a provider would not have without us communicating and contributing. For us, sharing those perspectives, experiences of our family members receiving care, letting them know how we feel, and how we perceive the care they’re giving, only supports providers in making the patient experience better.”
Deneen, PFAC Steering Committee Member

Patients can engage in healthcare in a variety of ways, including:

  • Treatment decisions in partnership with their healthcare team
  • Quality improvement activities to improve care for others
  • Designing health policy for large scale change
Engagement Opportunities

Engage in our Work

Patient & Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) are made up of patients, caregivers, family members, and professionals. Together, they ensure the patient voice is embedded into efforts to improve the quality, safety, and value of healthcare.

About IPRO PFAC

Regional opportunities: Join our PFAC to improve healthcare throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

Local opportunities: If you’re interested in improving healthcare in your community, contact your local hospital to learn how to join their PFAC.

News & Resources

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