The Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of psychosocial services to people with cancer and their families. Its mission is "to advance excellence in the psychosocial care of persons with cancer, their families, and caregivers through networking, education, advocacy, research and resource development."

The AOSW recently revised its Standards of Practice, explicitly embracing "patient- and family-centered care at all levels of practice". "[O]ncology social workers [can] substantially contribute to the development of a health care environment that embodies the core concepts of patient- and family-centered care organizationally...[including] respect for patients' values, preferences and expressed needs; coordinated and integrated culturally competent care; timely, affirming and useful information, communication and education; individualized care; physical comfort, emotional support, involvement of family and friends, shared decision-making and collaboration with patients and families in the evaluation, planning and delivery of care." Additionally, the standards include that oncology social work programs "shall address institutional and agency needs" including "the advancement of the practice of patient- and family-centered care at the clinical and organizational levels."

According to Nancy Newman, Director, Patient Support and Advocacy, Moffitt Cancer Center, who spearheaded the effort to bring about this revision, "Oncology social workers have a strong commitment to engaging patients and families as partners in clinical care such as developing goals in counseling or planning a safe and effective discharge together. The revised standards highlight these clinical roles, as well as one in which oncology social workers work side by side with advisors...to improve the patient experience and advance the practice of patient- and family-centered care."

The Institute applauds the AOSW for including clear language that promotes patient- and family-centered care. The AOSW's actions are consistent with one of the key recommendations, offered in Chapter 8 of Partnering with Patients and Families to Design a Patient and Family-Centered Health Care System ~ Recommendations and Promising Practices. This publication, with funding support from the California HealthCare Foundation, is based on the deliberations and key recommendations that emerged from a unique meeting that was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and convened by the Institute in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. It includes examples of best practices drawn from hospitals, ambulatory programs, medical and nursing schools, funders of health care, patient- and family-led organizations, and other health care entities. This document is available as a free download from the Institute.

Does Your Organization Embrace and Promote Patient- and Family-Centered Care?

If your organization similarly has incorporated patient- and family-centered care into its Standards of Practice, or its Vision or Mission Statements, please let the Institute know by sending either the document or a link to the document. With permission, documents submitted will be posted on the Institute's website.

The Empowered Patient Coalition, a California-based nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing the tools, resources, and information for patients and their families to become effective and vital members on their health care team. The organization is headed by Dr. Julia Hallisy, whose daughter experienced medical errors during her decade-long treatment for cancer. Before her daughter's death in 2000, Dr. Hallisy began advocating for patient safety and the rights of patients and families. She partnered with Helen Haskell, whose 15-year old son died as a result of medical errors, to produce materials for patients and their advocates. These resources are rich with information, strategies, and tools that further the Coalition's mission of "promoting a culture of transparency, meaningful interaction and active participation that will allow patients and their advocates to assume a greater role in improving the safety and the quality of their health care." The Empowered Patient Coalition offers many resources for free to help patients and their families be empowered. Check out the "Ten Things Patients Should Know" Series.

The Hospitals and Communities Moving Forward with Patient- and Family-Centered Care: An Intensive Training Seminar ~ Partnerships for Quality and Safety, with leadership support from the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS), will be held in Ann Arbor, October 1-4, 2012. This seminar includes an invitational Leadership Track for CEOs, other senior executives, and trustees/board members.

This Leadership Track offers an opportunity for discussion and reflection among leaders committed to improving health care. Nationally recognized faculty leaders—Jim Conway, former Senior Vice President of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and a Senior Fellow and adjunct lecturer at the Harvard School of Public Health and a principal in the Governance and Leadership Group of Pascal Metrics, and Dan Rahn, Chancellor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences—will share emerging best practices and strategies for change to support patient- and family-centered initiatives. A prime goal of the Leadership Track is for senior executives to share their challenges and lessons learned in implementing and sustaining patient- and family-centered practice.

The Leadership Track kicks off on Sunday, September 30, with an Executive Leader's dinner program, hosted by UMHS, and continues the next day with a Leadership breakfast and lunch session, in addition to seminar programming. Alternatively, if leaders have additional team members from their organization participating in the seminar, they may choose to join their team and its designated seminar faculty facilitator for the Small Group working lunch session.

Those participating in the Leadership Track will receive a copy of the new Institute resource that explores the perspectives of leaders: Partnering with Patients, Residents, and Families: A Resource for Leaders of Hospitals, Ambulatory Care Settings and will have an opportunity to view the video Long-Term Care Communities and Partnerships with Patients, Residents, and Families: Leading the Journey. These resources also can be purchased on the Institute's Resources Page.

NOTE: The Ann Arbor Intensive Training Seminar is now sold out! Check the Institute's website for information about upcoming Intensive Training Seminars to be announced soon.

The Institute is proud to present its newest webinar, The SMART Discharge ~ An Always Event®, on September 18, 2012. This webinar will focus on the SMART Discharge Protocol created by Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), with the participation of patients and families, and funded by a Picker Institute Always Event® grant. Faculty will discuss the successes and challenges of including patients and families in the discharge process and the methods used to implement this new system of care in a community hospital, including the identification of the five components of the SMART Protocol, description of the ways in which patients and families can actively engage as partners in discharge planning, and discussion of the key components to successfully implement the SMART Discharge. Register Now.

Miami Children's Hospital (MCH), South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, is an internationally recognized pediatric care facility serving children from Florida, the United States, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. This 289-bed facility—the largest freestanding pediatric teaching hospital in the southeastern United States—has served the region for more than 60 years. With a history of innovation and leadership, Miami Children's Hospital has become South Florida's preferred referral center for critically ill children and neonates.

A Mission to Provide Patient- and Family-Centered Care

The commitment of Miami Children's Hospital to family-centered care is reflected in its mission statement, and is embraced at every level of the organization. Families are included in all aspects of care decision-making and receive care in an environment that is supportive of the individual needs of each child and family member. MCH is devoted to advancing patient- and family-centered care by supporting families to remain by their child's bedside at any time to ensure consistent dialogue between family and staff.

Their Family Advisory Council, Teen Council, and Family Center are just a few of the many other ways that Miami Children's Hospital promotes family and patient engagement. For example, check out this video of Family-Centered Rounds at Miami Children's Hospital.

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