People Centred Care

Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC), or Family Centred Care, is involving the patient and their family in making decisions about their care, and much more:

• It is honouring a family’s cultural and social background and religious beliefs
• It is making sure directional signs are helpful and make sense to families trying to use them
• It is connecting patients with their families sooner after a surgical procedure, and communicating with the family often
• It is teaching families to advocate for the patient, the patient to advocate for themselves, and staff advocating for them when they are unable to

We believe that while health professionals are the experts on health and disease, family members are experts on the patient. Family is also a patient’s primary strength and support. Information from patients and families can be helpful to staff, improve care and help us design better programs and friendlier systems.

Everyone’s role is important, and what we do together is greater than what either of us can do separately to achieve the best health for our loved ones.

Therefore, our care is based on partnerships with families, health care providers, and community supports throughout the Maritime Provinces. We encourage you to become an active partner in your and your loved one’s health care.

Partners in Care

IWk patients and families are partners in their care. The document Partners in Care: Our Shared Rights and Responsibilities, explains the rights of patients and families as well as staff and describes shared responsibilities as partners in their health care.

This document is available in English, French and Simplified Chinese.

Everyone (patients, families, staff, physicians, learners, researchers and volunteers) has the RIGHT to…

• Be treated with respect
• Be listened to and be heard
• Be in a place that is safe (physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually)
• Be active partners in care
• Be given information that is needed to provide or receive the best care

Award for Excellence in People Centred Care

Do you have an exceptional experience to share about an IWK staff member, physician, or team that demonstrates outstanding People Centred Care (PCC)  principles, focusing on Integrity and Relevance, Communication and Trust, Inclusion and Preparation, and Humility and Learning?

You are invited to submit a nomination for the 2023 IWK Family Leadership Council Award for Excellence in People Centred Care.

Learn more about the award and nominate someone here.