What does it mean to be a Patient and Family Partner?

A Patient & Family Partner's experience will vary depending on the type of course or event that they volunteer in. Some experiences take place in a classroom and may involve speaking to a large group. Other opportunities involve pairing up with students 1:1 to help them understand what it is like to maintain optimal health in a complex health system. The role of the Patient & Family Partner can vary from program to program, and time commitments can vary from brief, one-time discussions, to longitudal mentoring. Check out some of the 'Ways to Engage’ section on this page and select the 'Volunteer Interest Form' button if you would like to get involved, or if you have any additional questions.

My hope is that in sharing my experience I will provide food for thought and broaden the horizons of the providers, teachers and students I work with…. I am tremendously excited to be working with the physicians of tomorrow, playing a small part in their medical education. - Patient Partner

Medical Education Patient & Family Advisory Council

The Medical Education Patient and Family Advisory Council

partners with the School of Medicine at Stanford

to incorporate the patient experience into

the education of future clinicians.

• To provide patient and family perspectives during the implementation or improvement of new and existing educational programs and curriculum design.

• To inform how patient engagement can further improve the patient-centeredness of medical school programs.

• To promote the role of patients, families, and caregivers as partners in medical education at Stanford, and to disseminate experiences through local and national conferences on medical education.

The Medical Education Patient and Family Advisory Council (Med Ed PFAC) formed in October 2019 becomes the 12th PFAC within Stanford Medicine. At Stanford, Patient & Family Advisory Councils empower patients and caregivers to move from a reactive to a proactive role. This PFAC is unique at Stanford, and nationally, in that it has been formed to enhance the patient, family, and caregiver experience by integrating these voices and perspectives are included in the content programs, medical education curriculum and programming. In this context, medical education includes educational programs within the Stanford School of Medicine, and may include programs for pre-med students, medical students, physician assistant students, and residents.

Members of the Med Ed PFAC participate in discussion with staff and leadership and partner with School of Medicine faculty and staff to establish goals and objectives that guide their work. In general, the council will:

• Provide the patient and family perspective to medical education programs and help inform how patient engagement can help further enhance the patient centeredness of such programs

• Participate in the implementation or improvement of processes, educational programs, and curriculum design

• Promote the role of patients, families, and caregivers as partners in education at the Stanford School of Medicine and disseminate learnings from their experience through local and national conferences on Medical Education.

Ways to Engage

Become a Medical School Admissions Interviewer

Speak in a Class or at an Event

Partner with a Medical Student

When patients and families pair up with medical student or physician assistant student during their first year of medical school, they help them frame the patient & family experience, and build understanding and empathy. Click on the links below for program details.

Walk With Me

Childhood Chronic Illness: Impact on Family Development

Be a Patient in a Clinical Skills Course

Become a Med Ed PFAC member

To express interest in any of the above mentioned programs, please complete our volunteer interest form:

Volunteer Interest Form

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