Patient Advisory Committee (PAC)
The Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) provides an opportunity for patients, transplant recipients, and care partners to lend their perspective and assist us in the promotion of patient, family, and care partner engagement in ESRD care, as well as promoting positive relationships between patients, provider staff, ESRD stakeholders, and the Network.
The PAC consists of three separate levels of involvement:
- Members
- Representatives
- Chairpersons
Once a patient becomes involved in the PAC, a patient may also be considered to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME). SMEs are individuals who are able to devote more time each month to be involved in planning quality improvement activities with the Network and other federal agencies participating in national conference calls.
Member Level
Members at this level:
- Educate themselves on kidney disease and ways to be a healthier patient living with ESRD
- Become more empowered by being an active participant with their personal care team
- Learn more about patient advocacy and the Network quality improvement activities
If you have questions or want to get involved, please contact the Patient Services Department for your Network:
Representative Level
Members at this level:
- Develop and expand their advocacy skills and become more involved with their dialysis facility and the ESRD Network
- Speak with their ESRD peers and share their advice and experiences
- Expand their education and training regarding ESRD and other kidney diseases
To serve at the Representative Level, you must be nominated by your social worker and/or a facility representative and complete a certified peer mentor training course.
Regional Chairs
Members at this level:
- Assist supporting patients and activities in your region and talk with other patients and care team members to obtain their perspectives
- Provide feedback on the effectiveness of the Network's patient-related activities and assisting in developing resources and tools that will support reaching quality improvement goals
- Review and make recommendations regarding patient-related health care messages, materials, and activities planned by the Network
To serve as a Regional Chair, you must serve as a PAC Representative for at least one year.
Becoming a PAC Member
If you are a dialysis patient, transplant recipient, family member, or care partner and are interested in becoming a PAC member, speak with your dialysis facility social worker or contact the Network.
- ESRD Network PAC: Manual
We are working hard to make our patient engagement experience more structured. More information will be available soon on how you can get involved with PAC!