Become a Patient & Family Advisor

The Ontario Renal Network is looking for patients, family members and caregivers who have experience living with kidney disease and are willing to share their insights to make a difference for others.

We encourage people living with kidney disease to consider becoming a member of the Ontario Renal Network’s patient and family advisor community. Together, we can improve the lives of people living with kidney disease in Ontario.

You are:

• enthusiastic and passionate about making a difference
• willing to share your experiences with kidney disease
• willing to listen to and respect other people’s perspectives
• interested in learning about kidney care across Ontario

If this sounds like you, volunteer with us!

About Patient and Family Advisors

As a patient and family advisor, you will work with our staff and healthcare providers to make valuable changes to kidney care in Ontario. Advisors will directly influence the design and delivery of care, including policies, programs and initiatives that affect the patient and family experience.

The patient and family advisor community is made up of a dynamic group of patients, family members and caregivers. They represent a range of experiences with kidney disease, including, but not limited to:

• dialysis
• kidney transplant (including kidney donors)
• care in a Multi-Care Kidney Clinic
• caring for or living with someone with advanced kidney disease
• palliative care
• care in an urban, rural or remote location

We understand that managing kidney disease is difficult and time consuming. Patient and family advisors commit as much time as they are willing and able to give.

Most of the work we do together takes place over the phone or email, so we welcome patient and family advisors from across Ontario. You will need to have an email address and access to the internet.

Examples of How You Will Contribute

• Work with staff on projects to improve the quality of kidney care
• Tell your story at an event or in a blog post
• Draw on your experiences at a meeting
• Participate in a working group, such as developing patient education materials
• Co-chair an event steering committee
• Contribute as a panel member at a conference
• Review materials that will be given to patients
• Help set priorities in kidney care
• Be a part of Ontario Renal Network’s staff hiring panels
• And many more!

You may also have the opportunity to participate in the provincial Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC). Recruitment of PFAC members is based on equal representation from diverse groups of Ontarians living with kidney disease.

Get Involved

If you are interested in becoming a patient and family advisor, please email us.