Partnering with healthcare: The experiences of consumer representatives

The importance of consumer advocacy in person-centred healthcare service planning and delivery is growing. In Australia, the role of the “Consumer Representative” (known internationally as “Patient and Family Advisors”) is to advocate for patients and their families’ needs to improve service planning, healthcare design, and service evaluation. As the role of consumer representatives evolves and matures within the healthcare setting, it is crucial to comprehend their experiences and identify key insights to support and enhance their role within healthcare organizations. To achieve this, a focus group of four Consumer Representatives was conducted and their views were compiled into a single commentary. Our findings suggest that Consumers Representatives are driven by a desire to assist others, but they may feel dissatisfied if their role is perceived as tokenistic or lacks meaningful engagement. Consumer Representatives suggested various ways to improve consumer participation, including role clarification, meeting facilitation, and the development of supportive consumer networks.
Related content
-
Culture & Leadership | Infrastructure & Governance
Return on Human Experience: Eight Principles to Inspire Excellence in Healthcare
Join Jason Wolf and Stacy Palmer, authors of Return on Human Experience: Eight Principles to Inspire Excellence in Healthcare, for a conversation on transforming the human experience in healthcare. At its core, healthcare is human beings caring for human beings—yet the complexities of quality, safety, service, cost, and outcomes often pull organizations in different directions.
Learn more -
Culture & Leadership
To Care is Human – LIVE! A Conversation with Dr. Owais Durrani
Recorded live at ELEVATE PX 2025, this episode of To Care is Human features Jason Wolf and Dr. Owais Durrani. Listen in as they discuss his journey in healthcare, the role of AI, and the importance of equitable care. Key takeaways included the need for ethical AI use, the critical role of communication in hospitals,
Learn more -
Culture & Leadership | Patient Family & Community Engagement
Inclusive Perspectives: Diversifying Patient and Family Advisory Councils
2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT – 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
Learn more