October is Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month

October 21, 2021

October is Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of providing care that is respectful of, and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values.

Research has shown that when patients are engaged members of the health care team, they:

• Make more informed decisions
• Are more likely to adopt healthy behaviors
• Report more positive patient experiences
• Achieve better health outcomes

During these challenging times, Pennsylvania hospitals remain committed to ensuring that the core concepts of patient- and family-centered care continue to inform changes to policies and practices in ways that promote safety, prevent disease transmission, and support essential family connections. 

By supporting hospitals in the quest to provide high quality, safe, fiscally responsible, and patient-centric care, HAP has become a recognized leader in the move toward enhanced patient engagement in health care.

A HAP Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) provides a platform for Pennsylvania hospitals to network, learn, and problem solve together in order to enhance hospitals’ patient and family engagement (PFE) efforts.

During Patient-Centered Care Awareness Month, HAP joins organizations offering these important tips to help patients become engaged in their care:

• Write down your questions or concerns before your health care visit. While you’re there, write down important things your provider tells you and any questions you want to ask
• Repeat back what you heard your care provider tell you. It’s an important way to ensure that you have the correct information 
• Ask your care provider as many questions as you need to understand your care

Hospital representatives, patients, family members, and community leaders may join the HAP PFAC to include your voice in efforts to provide patient-centric care to Pennsylvania health care consumers. Contact HAP PFE Lead Janette Bisbee, for more information.