What is a patient and family advisor (PFA)?

Patient and Family Advisors provide a voice that represents those that receive care at OHSU.

PFAs partner with healthcare providers and administrators to help improve the quality, safety, and experience for all of our patients and families at OHSU.

They commit to volunteering for 1-4 hours each month depending upon the type of project(s) or council they are involved with.

What do patient and family advisors do?

• Share their story - Advisors help inform how we provide care by sharing their health care experiences with clinicians, staff, and other patients.
• Participate in discussion groups - Advisors tell us what it's like to be a patient at our hospital and what we can do to improve.
• Review or help create educational or informational materials - Advisors help us make materials easier for patients and family members to understand and use.
• Work on short-term projects - Advisors may be asked to partner with us in improvement projects.
• Serve on Patient and Family Advisory Council - An advisory council discusses and plans changes to improve experience, quality, and safety. Members include patients, family members, and staff.

Who can be a patient and family advisor?

You can be an advisor at OHSU if:

• You or your family member has received care at OHSU within the last 3 years.
• You are able to share ideas for improvement and potential solutions to help the experience for other patients and families.
• You are able to work with a diverse group of people.
• You are able to share your own experience to identify solutions for better patient-centered care for all.
• You are able to keep all information private and confidential.