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.

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.