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WHOLE  HEALTH:      

Change  the  Conversa5on  

FINDING  MEANING  IN  OUR  WORK    Narra6ve  Medicine  &  Spirituality  

Overview •  My VA, My Story is a grant project funded by the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation (OPCCCT).

•  The three person team will interview 500 Veterans and put their stories into CPRS.

•  The goal of the project is to foster a closer connection between health care providers and Veterans.

•  Stories create a context and history behind the presenting medical condition which can inform the care that we provide.

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Project Components •  Narratives – The team interviews Veterans about their life stories and creates a narrative - based on the interview and reviewed by the Veteran.

•  Personal Health Inventories – Team members work with Veterans to complete a PHI and identify wellness goals. PHI is passed on to outpatient team and recorded in CPRS. •  Writing Workshops – Opportunities for staff to write their own stories and reflect on their experiences as care providers.

VETERANS  HEALTH  ADMINISTRATION  

My Life, My Story – Narrative Medicine

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VETERANS  HEALTH  ADMINISTRATION  

CASE STUDY – Dave pg 48 in binder

•  68  year  old  male  who  is  an  Army  Veteran  (Vietnam).  •  Married  (2nd  marriage)  and  has  one  son  (47)  and  one  daughter  (45).  •  Previous  Car  and  engine  mechanic,  now  re6red.    

Current  concerns:  •  Difficulty  falling  asleep,  occasionally  reports  flashbacks  and  nightmares.  •  Diagnosed  as  diabe6c  for  25  years.  •  Struggles  with  managing  blood  sugar  levels.  •  Right  BKA  4  years  ago.  •  Chronic  pain  in  le^  leg  with  poor  circula6on  and  leg  sores.      •  His  le^  was  foot  removed  3  days  ago,  and  he  is  currently  in  the  hospital  preparing  

for  surgery  to  remove  his  lower  le^  leg  tomorrow.  

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DAVE

Personalized life story from the Veteran’s perspective

Page 49-50 in binders

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VETERANS  HEALTH  ADMINISTRATION  

Discussion– Changing the Conversation

Imagine  you  are  about  to  meet  with  Dave…      

What  did  you  learn  from  his  story  that  will  impact  how  you  interact  with  this  pa5ent?  •  How  you  feel  about  this  pa6ent?  •  What  you  will  say  to  this  pa6ent?  

If  you  asked  what  really  maFers  to  him  at  this  5me,  would  it  change  the  conversa5on?  •  What  will  you  focus  on  for  goals?  •  Will  you  make  any  new  referrals?    Imagine  this  was  one  of  your  pa5ents  that  presents  with  more  challenges?  •  How  would  knowing  this  informa6on  impact  how  you  view  and  treat  this  person?  

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VETERANS  HEALTH  ADMINISTRATION  

Your turn to share… last small group page 109 in your binders

1.   Share  an  object  or  symbol  which  represents  your  own  meaning  and  purpose  or  can  be  a  reminder  of  your  Whole  Health.  

   2.   As  5me  permits  share  from  the  following  topics:  

•  Why  did  you  choose  to  go  into  the  healthcare  profession?    •  What  gives  you  meaning  and  purpose  in  your  life?  

•  Who  is  someone  who  has  been  an  inspira6on  in  your  life  and/or  career?  

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