Patient and Family Centred Care
Our vision is to transform the quality and safety of the Australian healthcare culture by developing effective and innovative partnerships between patients, families and health care professionals.
Our aim is to enable a safer, more cost-effective and more satisfying healthcare experience for all involved.
A New Model of Care
The Australian Institute for Patient and Family Centred Care (AIPFCC) was established by Dr Catherine Crock in 2009 to transform the quality and safety of Australian healthcare by encouraging effective and innovative partnerships between patients, families and healthcare professionals.
In February 2016 the Institute merged with the Hush Music Foundation to form the Hush Foundation.
We support a patient-centred philosophy of care. In this paradigm, patients and their families are treated as partners in the provision of health care. They have a significant role in the health team. This includes a central role in their own health-care management so that they have a real voice in planning and implementing their own care. It also includes involvement in hospital decision-making. Information is shared so that families can make informed choices. Patient, family and professional partnerships and collaborations are implemented at every level.
This model of care is very different from the traditional systems in place in hospitals where patients can end up as the relatively passive recipients of care. Patient-centred care means that "The patient gets a place at the table".
Transforming Healthcare Together - through partnerships, culture and environment
Our Activities
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Advancing the understanding and practice of patient and family centred care through training and consultancy
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Speaker’s bureau of skilled patients, families and healthcare professionals experienced in a variety of topics.
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Partnering with universities, hospitals and insurers to support research into patient and family centred practice
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Maintaining a repository of information on patient and family centred practice
Our Associates
The Institute has approximately 400 Associates across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, United States and Japan. Associates can become involved with groups facilitated by the Institute to assist understanding of patient and family centred care. The Institute has also developed a close network of international organisations that support similar or complementary work.
Our Connections Include:
Partnering with Consumers Packages
We can offer a structured format for working with organisations seeking to improve their patient and family centred care. We are also happy to work with facilities to develop a package that best suits their needs. These packages are aimed at aiding facilities to meet the National Safety and Quality in Health Standards Standard 2 – Partnering with Consumers. This training will set facilities on the path to Patient and Family Centred Care and includes a mentoring program for involved staff. For more information please contact Dr Catherine Crock.
Health Plays
Written by acclaimed playwright Alan Hopgood, The Hush Foundation's three plays, "Hear Me", "Do You Know Me?" and "What Matters" tackle the biggest issues in the culture of healthcare today bullying, communication and better patient outcomes.
For more information and bookings please contact us.
Preparing and Delivering Training Programs to Health Professionals
The PFCC training package is a four day immersion training in patient and family centred care. The package is aimed at aiding facilities to meet the National Safety and Quality in Health Standards Standard 2 – Partnering with consumers. This training will set facilities on the path to pfcc and includes a mentoring program for involved staff.
For more information please contact:
Public Speaking
In order to encourage our community to adopt better "Patient Centred" care models, we have qualified speakers able to address various audiences. To discuss your specific requirements, click here.
Consulting with Hospitals and Clinical Practices
If you would like us to assist your organisation to deliver better "Patient Centred" care, please contact: Dr Catherine Crock.
Our Values
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Compassionate care and communication;
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Collaboration between patients and carers, both professional and family;
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Innovation in our practices;
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Care practices that are sustainable over time;
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Care that is accessible to both patients and carers;
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Respectful communication;
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Ethical behaviour and practice at all times;
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Openly and honestly sharing our information and experiences.