By Judith Johnson-Mekota / Guest Column
Our nation is grappling with health care in which professionals are seeking a delivery model that addresses ever-changing costs and complexity, while maintaining the agility to meet new demands from patients who understand more about their own health and expect excellence in their care.
We must rise to the challenge of anticipating and meeting that expectation. The VA understands this and is well-equipped to lead industry progress by developing a whole health model of care that puts the veteran patient at the center of his or her own health and wellness.
Whole health empowers, equips and provides appropriate touch-points of care to help patients take charge of their health and well-being, which complements key U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs priorities such as suicide prevention, reducing homelessness and addressing addiction.
Providers have historically focused on what’s the matter with patients, discussing mainly diseases and ailments. The VA is working to shift instead to a conversation about what matters most to veteran patients. We want to put the patient – rather than the disease – at the center of health and health care.
The Iowa City VA Health Care System has launched a Whole Health Wellness clinic where veterans with complex medical problems receive tailored care plans that may include intensive therapeutic education and support for lifestyle changes, such as food choices, stress management or developing an exercise program.
VA is asking patients what brings them joy and is working to understand why they want to achieve their own well-being. We are developing strategies to help patients turn their goals into reality and provide much-needed support during times of crisis. Veterans and health care staff are invited to think about their health in a new way; focusing on what matters most in life, building resilience and taking ownership of each step in the process.
When health care systems evolve to better engage patients with information, resources and tools they need, they can better serve those patients and their loved ones. Community partners and providers can join the effort by visiting the VA website for the Office of Patient Centered Care and explore the tools and information available at www.va.gov/patientcenteredcare.
At the Iowa City VA Health Care System, in addition to continual improvement to the medical care options and technologies provided, emphasis will be placed on patient well-being and health care maintenance. We exist to serve those who have served us – veteran patients – and we will continue to improve the ways in which we fulfill that honorable mission.
For more information, call the Iowa City VA at (319) 338-0581. We can answer your questions or, if you are a veteran with an honorable discharge, help you sign up for the care and benefits that you earned.
Judith Johnson-Mekota, FACHE, is director of the Iowa City VA Health Care System.
