Whole Health in Your Practice 8. THE POWER OF STORY

CASE STUDY – Dave Page 15 Current concerns: 68 year old Army Veteran (Vietnam) Married, one son (47) and one daughter (45) Retired mechanic Current concerns: Difficulty falling asleep, - has flashbacks and nightmares Type 2 diabetes for 25 years Struggles managing blood sugar levels Right BKA 4 years ago Chronic pain in left leg, with poor circulation and leg ulcers Left foot removed 3 days ago. Admitted for surgery to remove left lower leg tomorrow

The story from the Veteran’s perspective DAVE The story from the Veteran’s perspective Page 16

Discussion– Changing the Conversation Imagine you are about to meet with Dave… How do you feel about working with Dave? What did you learn from his story that will affect how you interact with Dave? Would you document differently to share his information with other staff? If you asked what really matters to your patients, would it change the conversation?

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.

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.

Video – My Life, My Story: VA’s healthcare improvements through deliberate storytelling https://youtu.be/fpzgVlExS20

CLOSING REMARKS & PULSE CHECKS Whole Health in Your Practice CLOSING REMARKS & PULSE CHECKS