Listening Organizations: Elevating the Human Experience in Healthcare through the Lived Experience of Patient & Families

Experts from around the world in the field of patient and family partnerships come together to explore the evolving role of Patient and Family Advisors (PFAs) in shaping the future of healthcare. This thought-provoking discussion highlights the importance of truly listening to and learning from the lived experiences of patients and families to drive meaningful change. Contributors identify current gaps in the way PFAs are utilized within healthcare organizations, noting missed opportunities for deeper engagement and collaboration. They also share their aspirations for how PFAs can be more fully integrated as essential partners in quality improvement, policy development, and system design. The conversation emphasizes the foundational elements needed to become a “listening organization”—one that actively values and acts on the insights of its patients and families. Through these shared reflections, the discussion offers a compelling vision for expanding the role of PFAs as a vital resource in advancing compassionate, patient-centered care.
Related content
-
Patient Family & Community Engagement
Patients’ Perceptions: A Group Differences Study Twelve Months Before and Twelve Months During a Worldwide Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic subjected healthcare systems’ to decreasing operational margins, enhanced regulatory scrutiny, and challenges related to patients’ expectations. Until now, there was a lack of empirical evidence studying patients’ perceptions prior to versus deep immersion into the pandemic. This quantitative non-experimental ex post facto causal-comparative study examined if and to what extent there were
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
Engaging Children and Youth in Healthcare: A Developmental Approach
2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT – Current efforts to engage children and youth in hospital care lack a formal framework and engagement programs often rely solely on caregivers and guardians as proxies, overlooking their direct input. This presentation emphasizes the importance of involving children and youth directly in healthcare
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
Experiences of Psychosocial Support in Group Rehabilitation Interventions from Adults with Chronic Conditions – A Qualitative Systematic Review
Psychosocial support in group rehabilitation interventions can provide adequate social support and a basis for self-management. Both healthcare professionals and peers have invaluable roles in helping patients with chronic conditions adapt to their life situation. Interventions should facilitate knowledge sharing and help patients take responsibility for self-management. Furthermore, participants should be able to choose the
Learn more