Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN)

Relational Learning Journey for Pediatricians

The American Academy of Pediatrics and Erikson Institute have joined forces to facilitate a learning journey for medical students and practicing pediatricians in Erikson’s Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) approach to relationship-building and reflective practice. 

The Early Relational Health learning journey is a paradigm shift for pediatrics, emphasizing the support of strong, positive and nurturing relationships for all children, and the parallel process for pediatricians to be skilled in the creation of strong, positive and trusted relationships with all families.

The FAN Family Communication Tool and FAN learning journey helps advance this vision for child health practice transformation toward the relationally centric high performing medical home.

FAN in Residency: Hearing the Family and Knowing Yourself

• Early Relational Health (ERH)prioritizes relationships as essential to healthy development. Erikson Institute and the American Academy of Pediatrics have joined forces on a 3-year training initiative for residents and practicing pediatricians in Erikson’s Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) approach to relationship building and reflective practice.

What is FAN?

• FAN is a communication tool that is based on the concept of attunement; that is, if a parent feels connected to and understood by you, they are open to partnering with you. FAN operationalizes attunement by helping the physician read the parents’ communication cues, discover the parents’ true concerns and collaborate with them to address their concerns.  FAN enhances physician self-awareness and well-being through reflective practices.

The Gift of the FAN

• Strengthens relationships between physicians and families.
• Increases efficiency by identifying the true concerns more quickly.
• Reduces physician stress through mindfulness and self-compassion strategies.
• Applicable across patient care settings, including inpatient and primary care
• Functions as a de-escalation tool during challenging moments with patients
• Supports AAP policy statement on Early Relational Health
• Refuel your workday through mindfulness and self-compassion practices.
• Focus your energy on understanding a family's true concern for their children.
• Celebrate magical moments with growing families.
• Perpetually discover joy in your work.

“I used to go in and think diagnosis. Now I go in and think connection.” – Resident trained in FAN