Partnering with PFAs who are representative of the patient and family population, creating a welcoming environment for participation, and engaging them in health equity initiatives better positions healthcare organizations to:

• Address health disparities and health-related social needs.
• Improve healthcare delivery, quality, safety, and experiences of care.
• Provide culturally responsive care that addresses factors that can affect health and health care.
• Foster community engagement and build authentic relationships between the hospital and the community.
• Provide opportunities for PFA and community member capacity building.

However, prior research shows that there are significant gaps in PFA representativeness. PFAs are more likely to be White, female, highly educated, and of higher socioeconomic status. The full range of patients and families served are often not represented on PFACs due to barriers in the recruitment, application, and participation process. In addition, while many healthcare organizations have developed structures, plans, and initiatives to advance health equity and representativeness, there are opportunities for more significant partnerships with patients and families.

This toolkit helps hospitals create and sustain a PFAC that reflects the patient and family population served by the hospital; provides an inclusive environment; and supports equitable partnerships with patients and families to advance quality, safety, experiences of care, and health equity.