Adapting and Responding to a Pandemic: Patient and Family Advisory Councils in Children’s Hospitals during COVID-19

A team of researchers led by the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centered Care investigated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Patient and Family Advisory Councils (PFACs). The study surveyed children’s hospitals across the country to understand how PFACs adapted operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, how PFACs and patient and family advisors (PFAs) were engaged as partners in response to the pandemic, and the intersection with issues related to PFAC diversity, equity, and inclusion. Findings show that children’s hospitals are well-positioned to be leaders in the field, contributing to the development of new approaches, lessons learned, and best practices moving forward.