Carrying the Load: Improving Clinical Outcomes
Published January 16, 2018
Joan Forte, Healthcare Consultant/Nurse/Administrator Barbara Kivowitz, Healthcare Consultant/Author/Advisor
The patient/family caregiver relationship impacts understanding of the illness, coping, and following medical recommendations – directly influencing health outcome. These relationships are a crucial lever for clinicians. At Stanford Health Care, using a relationship-centered framework (based on Love in the Time of Chronic Illness: How to Fight the Sickness- Not Each Other by Barbara Kivowitz), we collaborated with patient/family partners, clinicians, and administrators to develop a curriculum to enable clinicians to support the patient/family caregiver relationship, in their daily practice, and deepen collaboration and strengthen the resilience needed to manage illness. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the impact of illness on the relationship, and approaches to use with patients and caregivers.
Related content
-
Culture & Leadership | Patient Family & Community Engagement
Inclusive Perspectives: Diversifying Patient and Family Advisory Councils
Published December 4, 2025
Understanding that diversity and inclusivity within Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs) are crucial for addressing the evolving needs of the community, Inova redesigned its advisor recruitment and engagement strategy. Initially met with resistance from some long-term PFAC advisors, Inova’s new approaches—including the introduction of term limits, revamped recruitment efforts, enhanced cross-generational digital presence, and
Learn more -
Infrastructure & Governance | Patient Family & Community Engagement | Policy & Measurement
Hard-Wiring Engagement: Embedding Patient and Family Voice through Policy
Published July 28, 2026
11:00 AM PT / 2:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM London – This session brings the webinar series together by focusing on how organizations can hard-wire patient, family, and care partner engagement through organizational policy. Participants will explore policy levers, language, and governance strategies that support long-term sustainment of Domain #5 elements and ensure engagement
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
The Art of Diagnosis: How to Actively Participate in Your Healthcare
Published August 8, 2025
Diagnosing illness is one of the most complex and error-prone aspects of healthcare, yet patients are rarely equipped with the knowledge or tools to engage in the process actively. This article demystifies diagnosis by explaining how doctors formulate differential diagnoses, the limitations of medical testing, and the cognitive and systemic factors that contribute to diagnostic
Learn more