Patient- and Family-Centered Care
Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) is a way of thinking about the relationships between patients, their families and the people who provide healthcare. The Patient- and Family-Centered Care model is based in the belief that healthcare can be improved by building more effective partnerships among healthcare providers, patients and families.
How does PFCC differ?
Care that is truly patient- and family-centered includes:
- Understanding and respecting patients’ cultural traditions, their personal preferences and values, their family situations and their lifestyles
- Giving patients and their families the opportunity to make choices about many aspects of their care and the care delivery process
- Involving patients and their loved ones as part of the care team, collaborating with healthcare professionals in making clinical decisions
- Putting responsibility for important aspects of self-care and monitoring in patients’ hands – along with the tools and support they need
- Ensuring that transitions between providers, departments and healthcare settings are respectful, coordinated and efficient
- Input from Patient and Family Advisory Councils
Why is Memorial Healthcare System committed to PFCC?
Memorial Healthcare System puts “Patients First.” Patient- and Family-Centered Care is a philosophy of care that we believe best serves the needs of our patients and their families, our employees and our physicians.
What kind of PFCC resources does Memorial Healthcare System provide?
Memorial Healthcare System has Patient and Family Resource Centers that provide practical, beneficial health-related information, hospitality services and community information and support. These Resource Centers, as well as many of our hospital policies, have been created with direct input from our Patient and Family Advisory Councils. To see a list of the council's accomplishments, click here.
To learn about our recent activities, read our newsletter.
Why should you become a Patient and Family Advisor?
Because you are a consumer of health services, your observations and ideas about what does and doesn’t work for you and your family are powerful tools for enhancing the quality of Memorial Healthcare System. As a member of a Patient and Family Advisory Council, you can help us design programs and services that meet real healthcare needs as patients and families define them. Learn more about Patient and Family Advisory Councils.
For more information on Patient- and Family-Centered Care
To learn more, we invite you to explore our website and contact us if you have any questions.
For general information about the philosophy and practice of patient- and family-centered care, visit the Institute for Family-Centered Care website at www.familycenteredcare.org.