Patient & Family Advisory Council
The Pediatric Patient and Family Advisory Council (PPFAC) is a partnership of patients, family members, and professional caregivers, dedicated to improving hospital programs, policies, and the overall quality of cancer care provided to children, teens and their families both during and after treatment.
Established in 1999, the PPFAC serves as the “voice of the patient.” PPFAC members work to inform hospital leaders about patients’ needs and concerns, make changes that affect patients and families, participate in the design of patient care areas, and serve as a resource regarding patient-related issues.
Since its formation, the PPFAC has worked on many initiatives, including:
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Pediatric Handbook for Patients, Families, and Friends
- “How to Help” brochure for friends and families of patients transitioning to palliative care
- Promotion of nutrition services and integrative therapies
- Guide to billing and insurance
- Home hydration program
- General anesthesia for outpatients at the Jimmy Fund Clinic
- Children’s Hospital resource room design and reference materials
- Emergency Room “fast track”
- Discharge process
- Speaking engagements at fundraising events and health-care conferences
Each month, the PPFAC discusses ongoing initiatives and assigns follow-up directives. Members are required to attend two-hour monthly meetings and to work on issues outside of these meetings. Parent co-chairs share leadership responsibilities of the PPFAC.