The PFAC Survey is a ready-to-use survey that PFAC coordinators can use to learn about PFAs’ experiences within the PFAC.

The PFAC Discussion Guide contains questions to guide group or individual discussions about representativeness and belonging within the PFAC.

Learning about PFAs’ experiences is an important part of PFAC accountability and improvement. Some hospitals conduct yearly surveys or group discussions to understand progress and opportunities and surface potential issues that affect the development and sustainability of meaningful partnerships with PFAs. Others conduct assessments in conjunction with strategic planning or evaluation processes that occur across the organization.

Before conducting any assessment, share information with PFAs about the purpose of the assessment, how information will be collected, whether individual responses will be anonymous, who will have access to the data, and how results will be shared with PFAs. This helps build trust in the process and address potential concerns.

Methods for assessing PFAC perspectives and experiences include surveys and individual or group discussions. Surveys can be an efficient way of gathering information and can be administered on a recurring basis (e.g., annually or semi-annually) to allow for comparison of results. Discussions can provide more detailed information in a personalized setting. When holding individual or group discussions, it is important to have a facilitator who can listen actively and without judgment.

Topics to ask about in a survey or discussion include the following:

• PFAC culture
• Experiences related to representation and belonging in the PFAC
• Challenges and positive experiences as a PFA
• Ideas for improving the PFAC

Share and discuss the results of any assessment with PFAs to better understand the data and develop plans for improvement. Questions to ask about assessment results include the following:

• Was there any surprising information that came out of the assessment?
• What information confirmed or supported their experiences?
• What strengths do they see in the assessment results? What is going well?
• What are the opportunities for improvement?

Example: Annual PFAC Assessment Survey

As part of its strategy to evaluate and enhance the effectiveness of its PFAC, one children’s hospital conducts an annual assessment survey. The assessment is designed to gather candid input to improve operational processes and the experiences of PFAC members. The survey asks questions about clarity of the PFAC’s mission, individual satisfaction in the role, whether PFAs receive adequate guidance and training, and whether PFA perspectives are welcomed and well-received.

The survey also serves as an accountability tool to ensure momentum and transparency, helping to align PFAC goals with organizational values and strategic priorities. PFAC leadership analyzes the survey data, which is then presented in a dashboard format. Results are shared with PFAC members to acknowledge improvement opportunities and celebrate successes. The hospital commits to taking specific actions in response to feedback gathered, and progress is assessed on a regular basis.

Example: Evaluating PFAC Engagement Metrics

One hospital’s assessment strategy includes the use of engagement metrics to assess and report PFA contributions. PFAs are asked to complete activity logs or to email or notify the PFA coordinator of specific activities. In one year, the hospital was able to demonstrate that PFAs contributed over 700 volunteer hours, contributed to over 500 activities, and participated in over 50 requested engagements. This information is shared with hospital leaders and PFAC members to highlight the impact and reach of advisors.