Patient and Family Centred Care: The Basics
by Raiili Pellizzari
(L-R): Joanita Nakimuli - Discharge Transition Lead, Victoria Marks - Patient Advocate, Shannon Schiffer - Manager, Patient and Family Centred Care, Patient Experience, Engagement and Advocacy, Nancy Kruk - Administrative Assistant, Kimberly Agostino - Post Discharge Liaison, Gloria Whitehurst - Post Discharge Liaison, Terah White- Patient Advocate. Not pictured: Hafsa Siddiqui - Data Specialist.Throughout the year, the Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC) team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) will bring you information and highlight important initiatives related to Patient and Family Centred Care.
Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC) is the provision of care that is respectful of, and responsive to, individual patient/family preferences, needs and values, and ensures that patient values guide all clinical decisions. As an organization, PFCC is the guiding philosophy for everything TBRHSC does. This means that we are committed to working with patients and families during their health care journey.
PFCC Core Concepts
Dignity and Respect: Listening to and honouring patient and family perspectives and choices by incorporating their knowledge, values, beliefs and culture into the planning and delivery of care.
Communication and Information Sharing: Communicating and sharing complete, unbiased information with patients and families in ways that are useful and supportive. Patients and families are also encouraged to share all necessary and relevant information with their care team.
Collaboration: Patients, families and health care providers can collaborate in policy and program development, professional education, and in the delivery of care. Collaboration is also where co-design sits, as it involves actively engaging patients and their families in the design and improvement of health care services. By incorporating insights, experiences, and feedback, health care providers can better tailor care to meet the unique needs and preferences of patients, leading to more personalized, effective, and exceptional care.
Participation: Patients and families are encouraged and supported to participate in experiences that build on their strengths and enhance their control and independence.
Why is PFCC important at TBRHSC?
PFCC is a partnership involving patients, families and health care providers that results in safe quality care. It ensures that all information shared is clear, complete, timely, accurate and useful in helping patients and families effectively participate in care and decision-making. Through evidence-informed strategies, TBRHSC staff can ensure that patients receive care that helps to foster engagement and collaboration within the health care setting.
For more information on PFCC, click here.
