What Is a Patient and Family Advisory Council?
A patient and family advisory council, often shortened to PFAC, is a group of patients, family members, and caregivers who meet regularly with hospital or clinic staff to give feedback on how care is organized. Members are not there to advocate for their own case or resolve a personal complaint—they give input meant to help future patients.
Maybe a nurse mentioned the hospital is “looking for patient advisors,” or you saw a flyer in a waiting room. Before you apply, it helps to know exactly what the role involves and what it does not.
If you are trying to solve a problem with your own current care, this is not the right tool. Talk directly with your care team, or use the tools in Take Part in Care Decisions for that conversation instead.
How a Council Is Different From a Support Group or a Complaint Process
These three things get confused often. They are not the same.
- Support group: A place to share experiences and get emotional support from people with similar conditions or circumstances. No organizational decisions happen there.
- Complaint or grievance process: A formal way to raise a specific problem about your own care so the organization can respond to that case.
- Patient and family advisory council: A standing group that reviews policies, materials, and processes—things like discharge instructions, waiting-room signage, or how a new unit is designed—and gives input meant to help the patients who come after you.
AHRQ describes this kind of advisory work as a core part of patient and family engagement at the organizational level, separate from an individual person’s own care decisions.
What Advisors Actually Do
Depending on the organization, council members might be asked to:
- React to draft patient materials, such as discharge instructions or consent forms, and flag confusing language
- Give input on a proposed change, such as new visiting hours or a redesigned waiting area
- Share a story from their own care experience to illustrate a pattern, without it turning into a personal complaint session
- Help select or train future patient advisors
- Sit on a short-term project team focused on one specific issue, rather than the standing council
AHRQ’s implementation materials note that hospitals can involve advisors on short-term projects as well as the standing council, so “joining” does not always mean a long, open-ended commitment.
A Typical Path From Interest to Membership
Every organization runs this a little differently, but AHRQ’s materials describe a general sequence hospitals are encouraged to follow. Use this as a map, not a promise of exactly what will happen at your hospital.
- Learn who advisors are and what they do. Many organizations share a short information sheet or hold an information session before anyone applies.
- Complete an application. This usually asks for basic background information, why you want to be an advisor, and any relevant past experience as an advisor or volunteer.
- Interview or informal conversation. Staff use this to understand your interests and match them to the organization’s current needs.
- Notification. AHRQ’s materials specifically mention that hospitals prepare both invitation and “regret” letters, meaning not every applicant is selected, and being turned down is a normal, expected outcome—not a reflection of the person.
- Orientation. New advisors typically go through training that covers the organization’s safety and quality goals and what advisors are asked to do.
- First project or first meeting. Many programs start a new advisor with a specific short-term task before adding them to ongoing council work.
Questions to Ask Before You Apply
An honest answer to these questions will tell you whether the role fits your life right now.
- Time commitment: How often does the council meet, how long are meetings, and is there work between meetings?
- Format: Are meetings in person, virtual, or a mix? Is there flexibility if you cannot attend every session?
- Confidentiality: What information discussed in council meetings is confidential, and will you be asked to sign a confidentiality statement before participating? AHRQ’s materials specifically include a sample confidentiality statement that hospitals may use with advisors and council members.
- Scope: Will you be asked to speak about your own care experience, and if so, how much detail is expected? You can set your own limit here.
- Compensation or reimbursement: Some programs cover parking or offer a stipend; others do not. Ask directly rather than assuming.
- Selection odds: Ask how many advisors the council typically has and how often openings come up, so you know what to expect either way.
Printable Checklist: Before You Reach Out
- I understand a council gives input on organization-wide care, not my personal case
- I have a specific person or department to contact (patient experience office, volunteer services, or the unit that posted the opportunity)
- I have written down my “why”—the experience or perspective I want to contribute
- I know how often meetings happen and whether that fits my schedule
- I have asked about confidentiality expectations and any form I may need to sign
- I know that not being selected is common and not a personal judgment
- I have a backup plan—such as a shorter, one-time project—if a standing council seat is not available
If you are new to this publication or want the full scope of what it covers, start with Start Here.
Common Questions
Do I need a medical background to join a patient advisory council?
No. Councils are specifically designed for the patient and family perspective, not clinical expertise. Your value comes from your lived experience as a patient or caregiver, not a credential.
Will I be paid to serve on a council?
It varies by organization. Some cover parking or offer a small stipend; others do not. This is one of the questions worth asking directly before you apply, since it is not standard across hospitals.
What happens if I’m not selected?
AHRQ’s own materials note that hospitals prepare regret letters as a normal part of the process—being turned down is expected and common, not a sign that your input isn’t valued.
A Note on Scope
This guide explains what patient and family advisory councils generally do and the kinds of questions worth asking before you apply. It does not promise that any specific hospital has an open council, commitment acceptance into one, or replace the application instructions a specific organization gives you. Contact the organization directly—usually through its patient experience, volunteer services, or community relations office—for its actual process and current openings.
Medical and educational information disclaimer: This article is for general education only and does not provide medical advice, legal advice, or designed to deliver outcomes. Better Health Questions is an independent educational publication and is not affiliated with any hospital, health system, or the AHRQ. For questions about a specific council, contact that organization directly. If you have an urgent concern about your own care, contact your care team or emergency services rather than a council process.
Sources: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, “Working With Patients and Families as Advisors” and “Patient and Family Advisory Councils: Providing Patient-Centered Care.” Page last reviewed and updated: September 2026.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine, medications, or supplements.