Patient and Family Engagement

A patient/family advisor is a volunteer who:

• Has received care or had a family member receive care at BIDMC within the past two years,
• Can commit one to four hours per month for a year,
• Is proud to make meaningful, positive improvements for all patients and their families.

Advisors help us improve care at BIDMC in a variety of ways, including:

• “E-Advising” (providing feedback by email/phone about a variety of topics),
• Sharing their stories with staff members, hospital leaders and doctors,
• Helping create or review patient information,
• Providing input on facility design and accessibility,
• Participating on a project workgroup,
• Participating on an ongoing department or program committee,
• Being a member of an ongoing Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC),
• Participating in a focus group,
• Participating in staff training and education,
• Assisting with a research project,
• Visiting with inpatients to gather their perspectives about what we are doing well and what needs improvement.

Advisors receive free parking or public transportation reimbursement when they are volunteering.

Download our application brochure or apply online. Our application brochures can also found in waiting areas throughout the medical center.

If you have any questions or need this application in another form, such as an alternate language, Braille or spoken word, please call 617-667-3421.

Apply Today

We strive to have a team of advisors who reflect the diversity of the patients and families we serve with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, education level, health condition, family structure, disability, age, language, LGBTQ+, veteran status and other identities and experiences. We are actively recruiting advisors whose experiences at BIDMC may be impacted by one or more of these identities. Their perspectives and ideas can help us improve care for all of our patients.

• Helping You Tell Your Story
• A resource for patient and family advisors
• Including Patient and Family Voices
• A resource for staff
• Working with Patient and Family Advisors
• A resource for staff interested in getting feedback from patients and families