Do you want to become a PFA or PFV?
If so, please contact us by emailing PFCC@hitchcock.org.
Patient and Family Advisors (PFAs) partner with the hospital and outpatient clinics to create a patient—and family-centered care environments and experiences.
Patient and Family Voices Volunteers (PFVs) are specially trained volunteers who meet with patients and their families at the medical center to gather information about successes and opportunities for improvement.
To learn more, please refer to the following sections on this page:
Patient and Family Advisors (PFAs) program
PFAs provide the patient and family perspective on various Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) initiatives. They give direct input on the decisions, policies, and practices that affect the services you receive. We require that each PFA be registered as a DHMC volunteer and have experience as a patient, family member, or caregiver of a patient who has received care at DHMC.
What do PFAs do?
PFAs:
- Are good listeners.
- Are full members of their assigned committee, project, or program and contribute to building decisions as equals with others involved.
- Are passionate about enhancing the healthcare experience for patients and families.
- Are positive and candid in their approach to sharing insights, information, and opinions in a group setting while remaining objective, constructive, and understanding each person's different experiences.
- See beyond their own experience, work in partnership with others, and collaborate on solutions.
Some other programs that PFAs may participate in are listed below.
Advisory Council/Board
In the Advisory Council/Board, patients, families, faculty, and staff work together to identify solutions and implement improvements to healthcare delivery in defined areas.
Employee Patient and Family Advisor
Employee patient and family advisors offer two perspectives: that of a patient and that of an employee who knows our internal system. Advisors do not volunteer within the section where they work.
E-Patient Advisor
E-patient advisors review and evaluate proposed materials for how information is developed, presented, and communicated.
Patient and Family Faculty program
The Patient and Family Faculty program teaches new staff and providers by using an experiential simulation process to ensure patients' care is focused on dignity, respect, information sharing, and collaboration.
Task Committees
Task committee advisors offer input into designing targeted improvement goals or evaluating the results of implemented policies, programs, and processes.
Patient and Family Voices (PFVs) program
What do PFVs do?
PFVs:
- Listen impartially and collect information to help improve the quality and safety of patient care
- Meet patients and families at in-patient settings to offer an open-ended conversation about their care experience
- Partner with staff to identify areas where we can serve our patients and their families better
- Recognize and celebrate staff mentioned by patients for their exceptional care
- Record real-time feedback to be shared with leaders
- Serve as a bridge to communicate needs "in the moment"