What is PFAB?

In January 2008, our CF clinic initiated the first Patient & Family Advisory Board (PFAB) in Canada, to ensure patients’ needs are met with the highest standards and input from people with CF. PFAB is comprised of CF patients and family members, with support from St. Michael’s Adult CF clinic staff in an advisory capacity. PFAB conducts monthly virtual meetings, in addition to having regular ongoing communication via email. This committee remains an integral part of the Toronto Adult CF Program and has helped to advise on the new ward, clinic flow, and communication strategies.

The aim of PFAB is to act as an advisory committee to the St. Michael’s CF care team. PFAB’s objectives are to collaboratively work with the CF team to actively participate in the development of new programs, review recommendations and provide input with the ultimate goal of shaping a service system (the clinic) that is patient/family centered, efficient and cost effective.

In addition, PFAB promotes improved relationships between patients, families and staff.  This partnership allows PFAB and the CF care team to foster a partnering relationship where concerns are listened to and addressed.  This results in more effective planning to ensure that services really meet the needs of CF patients.

Since its inception, PFAB has been involved in many projects, including:

  • Building a foundation for success:
    • Created a logo and a brochure about PFAB (who we are, what we do, etc.) that was handed out to patients in clinic
    • Set up an email address for patient inquiries and a website prior to amalgamating it with the Toronto Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre site
    • Developed a Terms of Reference for PFAB, outlining responsibilities of members, role of members, meeting frequency and protocols
  • Participated in Leadership and Learning Collaborative VI with staff from the Quality Improvement (QI) team
  • Represented PFAB at North American CF Quality Improvement (QI) conferences
  • Participated once monthly in the Toronto Clinic’s QI meetings to provide a patient perspective on current initiatives
  • Members have shared their routines/schedules/planning tools that may be helpful to other patients in terms of managing their health and care
  • Reviewed and provided essential feedback regarding the draft contents of the Toronto Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre website, including developing topics and items of interest from a patient perspective.
  • Reviewed and provided feedback for various clinic initiatives/ handouts/questionnaires
    • Provided input in completing the physiotherapy brochure, BMI nutrition questionnaire, therapeutic relationship in-patient questionnaire, in-patient Code of Conduct guidelines, transition checklist (from attending Sick Kids to the Adult CF Clinic at SMH), questionnaire regarding cleaning and disinfecting respiratory equipment

Ask a Question.
Get Involved.

If you are interested in becoming a PFAB member, please submit a letter expressing your interest to CF.PFAB.Toronto@gmail.com.

Should you have any questions or comments that you would like to have addressed by PFAB, please contact us at CF.PFAB.Toronto@gmail.com.