Chapter 4: The Whole Health Approach

Question 1

The 9 key elements of the Whole Health approach are:

Answer 1

1. Holism (focus on body, AND minds, spirit, connections, etc)
2. Power of experience (focus on your own WH and minful awareness as you train)
3. building care around meaning (MAP)
4. Emphasis on self-care (empower patients for self-care)
5. therapeutic presence (caregiver communication, emphathy)
6. self-care of the provider
7. CIH
8. Interprofessional teams
9. Evidence-informed approach

Question 2

What elements can intermprofessional teams incorporate to optimize chances for success?

Answer 2

• Shared goals everyone can articulate
• Clear roles for every member; servant leaders can play a key role
• Mutual trust (people can safely admit errors, ask questions, and try new things)
• Effective communication
• Measurable processes and outcomes to guide success

Question 3

Describe the rings of the Whole Health circle from center out.

Answer 3

1. Me: personalized health care
2. Mindful Awareness: notcing sx, behaviors, thought processes
3. Self-care
4. Professional or clinical care
5. Community: the vessel for all others. Social determinants of health, support prgms, resources.

Question 4

What are the three components of the Whole Health System

Answer 4

1. Pathway: empower (peer support)
2. Well-being: equip (coaching, CIH)
3. Clinical Care: treating

Question 5

Describe the journey to whole health clinical care.

Answer 5

1. Fundamentals
2. Map to the MAP
3. Equip
4. Integrate

Then you need a follow-up plan!

Question 6

What does the evidence say about having a purpose in life?

Answer 6

• you live longer
• more likely to use preventative care services
• lower risk of various physical conditions
• higher rates of better cognition, coping, healthy aging

Question 7

What are some of the benefits of the whole health system to the VA as shown in the data?

Answer 7

• Patients value it
• cost savings
• reducing opiate use
• improve clinician well-being
• Increased employee involvement with Whole Health improvees SAIL measures / hospital performance
• The whole haelth approach actually saves time for clinicians!

Ex. self care in the Power of Mind domain (mind-body skills for stress reduction) led to reduced healthcare costs.