Leia Madison P, See Kaitlin, Cuthbert Colleen
University of Calgary, Department of Nursing, Calgary, AB, Canada.
University of Calgary, Department of Nursing; Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, AB, Canada.
J Patient Exp. 2025 Sep 15;12:23743735251376068. doi: 10.1177/23743735251376068. eCollection 2025.
Patient and family advisory councils (PFACs) serve as structured collaborative groups where patients and caregivers partner with healthcare professionals to shape policies, service delivery, and research. Despite guidelines emphasizing the need for diverse representation, PFACs often remain socio-demographically homogenous, excluding vulnerable populations from critical discussions that shape healthcare outcomes. This scoping review examines barriers and facilitators influencing the recruitment and engagement of diverse populations in PFACs. A systematic search identified studies focusing on recruitment and engagement barriers and facilitators targeting under-represented groups. Forty-three studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Findings reveal that while race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and age are commonly considered diversity factors, other key populations such as individuals with disabilities, migrants, and those with lived experiences of homelessness, are often overlooked. Facilitators that can improve reach to these vulnerable populations include culturally tailored outreach, relationship-building with community leaders, and reducing logistical barriers. This review provides actionable recommendations for improving diversity in PFACs, ensuring equitable patient engagement that reflects the full spectrum of healthcare experiences.
患者及家庭咨询委员会（PFACs）是结构化的协作组织，患者和照护者在其中与医疗专业人员合作，以制定政策、提供服务和开展研究。尽管有指南强调需要有多样化的代表参与，但PFACs在社会人口统计学方面往往仍具有同质性，将弱势群体排除在影响医疗结果的关键讨论之外。本范围综述探讨了影响多样化人群参与PFACs招募和参与的障碍及促进因素。一项系统检索确定了聚焦于招募以及针对代表性不足群体的参与障碍和促进因素的研究。43项符合纳入标准的研究被纳入该综述。研究结果表明，虽然种族/族裔、社会经济地位和年龄通常被视为多样性因素，但其他关键人群，如残疾人、移民以及有过无家可归经历的人，往往被忽视。能够扩大对这些弱势群体覆盖范围的促进因素包括文化上量身定制的宣传推广、与社区领袖建立关系以及减少后勤障碍。本综述为提高PFACs的多样性提供了可采取行动的建议，确保患者能够公平参与，反映出全方位的医疗体验。
