What is patient- and family-centered care?

Patient- and family-centered care is a partnership in decision-making between clinicians and patients and families. This partnership recognizes that the perspectives and information provided by patients and families are important and valuable to the delivery of care. Patient-centered care is also culturally competent care, or care that meets the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients and families.

What is equity?

Health care equity ensures fair access to health care resources and opportunities for all, regardless of factors like race, socioeconomic status, or location.

Why is it important?

Patient- and family-centered care can lead to better health outcomes; improved patient, family, and provider satisfaction; and more effective allocation of resources.

Culturally competent care is important because biases can lead to different treatments based on a patient’s race, age, gender identity, or other characteristics, resulting in poor outcomes.

How does EMSC work to enhance patient- and family-centered care?

The EMSC Program creates resources and opportunities to help clinicians provide patient- and family-centered care. The primary way EMSC does this is through the work of the EMSC Family Advisory Network, a national network of volunteers who use a combination of personal and/or professional experience to help improve emergency care for children.