Patient and Family Advisory Councils

Partnering with Patients, Families and Caregivers

A patient and family advisory council (PFAC) is an organization of current and former patients, family members and caregivers that works together to advance best practices at a hospital or healthcare organization. Volunteer patients and families collaborate with employees (clinical, administrative and support) to provide guidance on how to improve the patient and family experience.

Johns Hopkins Medicine has over 20 PFACs offered across our care centers.

Each PFAC typically meets for two hours in the evening, once a month.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, PFAC meetings have switched to a virtual format via Zoom. 

Join a Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC)

PFAC Vision

To create a patient- and family-centered culture that involves a collaborative partnership among patients, families, leadership, and staff.

PFAC Mission

To improve the delivery of safe and quality health care by providing a way for the community to collaborate with staff, enhancing experience for patients and their families.

Why Join a PFAC?

What it Means to Be in a PFAC

At John Hopkins Medicine, we are committed to partnering with current and former patients, families, and caregivers to improve the healthcare experience for all. In this video, our PFAC members share why they joined a council, and what PFAC membership means to them.

Sharing Perspective from the Bedside

What is important to you during your healthcare experience? What do you wish the healthcare team knew? Through patient and family advisory councils, your opinions and feedback are not just heard, they're put into practice.

What I Wish You KnewSharing Perspective from the Bedside

Join a Patient and Family Advisory Council

Patient advisors are a diverse group of people who enjoy working with others and contributing ideas, while being able to hear and balance different perspectives with compassion and respect.

To be on a patient and family advisory council, you must:

Show dignity and respect for others.

Have an interest in and show concern for improving the health care experience for all patients and their families, beyond your personal experience.

Participate in meetings.

Attend monthly council meetings and serve on committees.

Share your ideas.

Have a positive approach and share ideas and information about experiences in ways that will benefit others, while listening to and respecting different points of view.

Collaborate.

Be able to communicate and cooperate with individuals whose backgrounds, experiences and styles may be different than your own.

Patient Advisor Role and Responsibilities

Patients and their families are knowledgeable members of the care team and can offer unique perspectives and valuable feedback about their experience at a hospital. Learn more about what it’s like serving on a PFAC.