Oncology Patient and Family Advisory Council

At Carilion Clinic, your voice counts. Partnering with us on the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) gives you the opportunity to share your thoughts and suggestions about your experience with our oncology services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Patient/Family Advisory Council?

A Patient and Family Advisory Council is a formal body of individuals (past patients, family members and/or caregivers) chosen to work together to help the hospital enhance its overall quality, safety and patient experience. The work of councils is often confined to the goals they define for the year.

Patients and family members must complete an application and background check to participate. If selected to serve in this role, the individual will attend an orientation prior to starting their assignment.

What is a Patient and Family Advisor?

Patient and Family Advisors serve as the patient voice. They have direct experience as a patient, family member and/or caregiver at Carilion Clinic’s oncology services. Advisors offer insights and recommendations that can help the hospital be more responsive to the needs of patients and families. They typically serve on committees or participate in short-term projects, initiatives and/or workgroups. This is a volunteer position.

Why do we have a Patient/Family Advisory Council?

They support Carilion’s commitment to create and sustain partnerships with patients and families that enhance the quality, safety and experience of care we deliver. They have direct input and influence on policies, programs and practices affecting care and services for patients and families.

More specifically, they:

  • Bring important perspectives about the experience of care to the table.
  • Offer patients and families a chance to give back.
  • Identify areas where we have opportunities for improvement.
  • Inspire and energize teammates.
  • Provide timely feedback and ideas.

List adopted from the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care’s Advancing the Practice of Patient- and Family -Centered Care: How to Get Started.

What kind of impact can advisors and councils have on Carilion Clinic’s oncology services?

  • Create a patient and family centered environment which promotes the best possible medical and emotional outcomes for patients and family members.
  • Enhance communication between patients, family members and all members of the care team.
  • Empower patients, family members, and staff through continuous education.
  • Identify and address patient and family needs in all aspects (body, mind, spirit) throughout the care experience.

Improve the care experience for those we serve.

Am I Ready?

Are you thinking about becoming a member of the Patient/Family Advisory Council? Review the checklist below and check those statements with which you agree. If there are statements with which you do not agree, these may be things to work on before becoming a council member.

I am ready to be a patient and family advisor when:

  • I am willing to talk about the positive and negative care experiences I had as a patient or family member of a patient.
  • If I have had any negative experiences, I am coping well and am ready to respectfully share my ideas about how things could have gone differently.
  • I am ready to speak up and share suggestions and potential solutions to help improve hospital care for other patients and family members.
  • I am willing to think beyond my own personal experiences.
  • I can bring a positive attitude to discussions.
  • I can listen to and think about what others say, even when I disagree.
  • I am willing to keep any information I may hear as an advisor private and confidential.
  • I enjoy working with people who are different from me.
  • I am willing to learn how to best serve as an advisor.

I have time in my schedule to be an advisor. Usually, advisors spend about 1-2 hours per month.