Partnership between Grand Strand Health and our community to enhance patient and family centered care together.

What is a patient and family advisor and what do they do?

A patient and family advisor is someone who:

  • Wants to help improve quality, safety and the healthcare experience
  • Gives feedback based on their own experiences as a patient or family member
  • Helps improve care for patients and families
  • Volunteers their time one to two hours per month
  • Keeps information you hear in the role private and confidential

Patient and family advisors provide a voice that represents patients and their family members who entrust us with their care. They partner with Grand Strand Health colleagues to help improve the quality of care for patients and family members.

Why become a patient and family advisor?

When you or your family member received care, did you have ideas about how it could have been better?

Do you want to make sure our patients and families get the best care possible?

Patient and family advisors give us feedback and ideas to help us achieve safety, quality, and an improved experience.

Who can be a patient and family advisor?

No special qualifications are needed to participate. Your experience as a patient, family member, or significant other is what’s most important. We will provide all other necessary training.

As an advisor, you can help make a difference.

You can help us in the following ways:

  • Discussion groups: Advisors tell us what it’s like to be a patient and help us find ways to improve the care we provide.
  • Review communication tools: Advisors help review materials like forms, handouts and instructions. Advisors help us make these easy to understand and use.
  • Short–term projects: Advisors partner with us to make improvements.
  • Council positions: Advisory councils discuss and plan changes to improve quality and safety. Members include advisors and hospital staff.

Is being a patient and family advisor right for you?

Being a patient and family advisor may be a good match with your skills and experiences if you can:

  • Speak up and share suggestions and potential solutions to help improve care for others.
  • Talk about your experiences as a patient or as a family member – but also think beyond your own personal experiences.
  • Talk about both positive and negative care experiences and share your thoughts on what went well and how things could have been done differently.
  • Work with people who may be different than you.
  • Listen to and think about what others say, even when you disagree.
  • Bring a positive attitude to discussions.
  • Keep any information you may hear as an advisor private and confidential.

If you want to apply to be a Patient and Family Advisor, email or call patient relations at (843) 692 - 3990.