We use cookies and other tools to enhance your experience on our website and to analyze our web traffic. For more information about these cookies and the data collected, please refer to our web privacy statement.
Translations on this website are prepared by a third-party provider. Some portions may be incorrect. Some items—including downloadable files or images—cannot be translated at all. No liability is assumed by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for any errors or omissions. Any user who relies on translated content does so at his/her own risk.
Improving Quality, Safety, Communication and More Through Patient & Family Engagement
Engagement means partnering with patient and family advisors to ensure that the needs and preferences of patients and families are the most important considerations when we are making changes.
Do you need assistance with a concern or problem related to your or your family member’s care at BIDMC? Please contact Patient Relations.
Some of BIDMC's patient and family advisors
What is a Patient/Family Advisor?
A patient/family advisor is a volunteer who…
Has received care or had a family member receive care at BIDMC within the past two years,
Can commit one to four hours per month for a year,
Is proud to make meaningful, positive improvements for all patients and their families.
Patient and family engagement advisors in a meeting
What Do Patient/Family Advisors Do?
Advisors help us improve care at BIDMC in a variety of ways, including:
“E-Advising” (providing feedback by email/phone about a variety of topics),
Sharing their stories with staff members, hospital leaders and doctors,
Helping create or review patient information,
Providing input on facility design and accessibility,
Participating on a project workgroup,
Participating on an ongoing department or program committee,
Being a member of an ongoing Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC),
Participating in a focus group,
Participating in staff training and education,
Assisting with a research project,
Visiting with inpatients to gather their perspectives about what we are doing well and what needs improvement.
Advisors receive free parking or public transportation reimbursement when they are volunteering.
We strive to have a team of advisors who reflect the diversity of the patients and families we serve with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, education level, health condition, family structure, disability, age, language, LGBTQ+, veteran status and other qualities. We are actively recruiting advisors whose experiences at BIDMC may be impacted by one or more of these characteristics. Their perspectives and ideas can help us improve care for all of our patients.
