One of the best ways to improve the patient experience and healthcare services is by working closely with the people who use them — patients and their families. When patients and families help make decisions about the health care system, from what happens at the bedside to how clinical programs are run, healthcare becomes safer, more respectful, more accessible and more effective.
This is called
patient and family engagement. It means patients and families aren’t just receiving care—they are active partners in shaping it. By sharing their ideas, experiences, and feedback, they help staff make more patient-centered, sustainable decisions. When patients and families are involved in planning and decision-making, the healthcare system focuses more on what really matters to the people it serves.
PHSA gathered feedback from patients, families, staff, and physicians across British Columbia on their experiences and ideas for partnering in care. We listened, learned, and created a
public report summarizing the key themes from these engagement sessions.
In spring 2025, PHSA introduced the
PHSA Patient and Family Engagement Framework. This framework guides our staff in planning and leading meaningful engagement activities. It provides clear steps and tools to involve patients and families in decisions about programs, projects, and major system changes—ultimately making healthcare better for everyone.
If you’re interested in sharing your voice and helping improve healthcare in BC, here are a few ways to get involved:
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PHSA programs and services: Get directly involved with specific PHSA programs. Scroll down to explore available opportunities.
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Patient Voices Network: Become a patient and family partner with healthcare organizations across BC. Learn more and find opportunities through the
Patient Voices Network, administered by Health Quality BC.
Contact: Tammy Hoefer, director, Patient & Family Partnerships and Experience, BC Cancer
