Patient & Family Partner Program

About Us
The Founding Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC) aims to provide insight and recommendations regarding the patient and caregiver experience at Stanford Health Care. The PFAC provides a forum for patients and their families to have their voices heard and be represented in the design and improvement of patient care.

Recent Accomplishments

Caregiver Support
The PFAC continued its mission of advocating for improved caregiver support in 2024. As part of these efforts, the PFAC invited a panel of caregivers to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas for improvement. The Founding PFAC also collaborated with all Stanford Health Care Patient & Family Councils to draft a letter requesting additional support for family caregivers.  The letter was sent to SHC leadership along with an invitation to join a subsequent meeting. The letter was a success and opened the door for future PFAC collaboration on efforts to support caregivers at SHC.

Ethics in Healthcare
The PFAC welcomed several teams to share projects they were working on and provided feedback relating to ethics in healthcare. Examples of projects included using AI to identify patients who may be eligible for specific screenings and utilizing genetic testing to inform patients about potential reactions to certain medications. The PFAC provided insights on how to communicate these processes to patients in a clear and compassionate manner, ensuring patients are informed without instilling fear or confusion when patients are contacted about potential testing.

Patient Experience Video
Members of the PFAC contributed to a new video that highlights the culture at Stanford Health Care, and why it’s a critical part of our mission to treat others the way they want to be treated. Members shared deeply personal stories about their experiences as patients, and how those experiences shaped their lives and the lives of their family members. This video is now included in the new employee onboarding process.  

Looking Ahead

In 2025, the Founding PFAC plans to recruit engaged, excited, and committed members, with a focus on candidates who have been or are caregivers. They will continue to champion initiatives that prioritize caregiver support across the organization, including support of the Caregiver Program.  Additionally, the PFAC will lend its support to the revision of the Stanford Health Care website, ensuring the new site is clear, informative, and patient-friendly.