Patient & Family-Centered Toolbox

Healthcare is complicated, as a parent, you will need to understand many things and keep track of many things. This toolbox will help you be an engaged and active patient/family member. It is also your one-stop shop for resources, which might be helpful to you and your child.

You are an important partner on your child’s healthcare team. At UF Health, we want you to know that many people are actively working to help keep your child as healthy as possible. This team includes doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, various therapists, and YOU! We honor four basic principles in working with parents and families as a team:

  • Dignity and Respect
  • Information Sharing
  • Participation
  • Collaboration

Family + Patient + Providers = Quality Healthcare. When patients, family members, and healthcare providers work together, the quality of care improves. We respect one another by recognizing the expertise that we all bring to this mutual partnership. When we all share information, good healthcare decisions are made, and our loved ones get better quality care.


Family Toolbox Contents:


Camps

MDA Camp

Summer camp for children ages 6-17 who have any of the neuromuscular diseases in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s program and who are registered with the MDA.

MDA Logo

Other Resources

NETWORKING

The Mighty

Real People. Real Stories. Stories of adults and children with special healthcare needs that can inspire and help improve the lives of others.

NETWORKING

Complex Child

Free monthly online magazine written by parents of children with special healthcare needs to provide medical information and personal experience in ways other parents understand.

Other

Help Hope Live

Formerly the National Transplant Assistance Fund, Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit. The mission is to support community-based fundraising for people with unmet medical and related expenses due to cell and organ transplants or catastrophic injuries and illnesses.


Facebook Pages & Groups


Advocacy

Please consider joining us as a Patient or Family Advisor. Participation gives you and/or your family member the opportunity to share your experiences with our health system and your views on how patient care and services can be improved at UF Health Shands Hospital. There are a variety of different volunteer opportunities available for those interested in becoming an Advisor. Patient and Family Advisors and staff work side-by-side to identify issues, brainstorm unique solutions, and implement change.

Here are some organizations that are working to make things better: