Promoting Whole Health and Well-Being at Home: Veteran and Provider Perspectives on the Impact of Tele-Whole Health Services. (20th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khanna, Aishwarya; Dryden, Eileen M.; Bolton, Rendelle E.; Wu, Juliet; Taylor, Stephanie L.; Clayman, Marla L.; Anwar, Chitra; Kasom, Danna; McGowan, Michael; Mullur, Rashmi S.; Bokhour, Barbara G.; Hyde, Justeen
• Is Part Of: Global advances in health and medicine. Volume 11(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-11-20
• Subjects: telehealth -- whole health -- well-being -- complementary and integrative health -- veterans; Integrative medicine -- Periodicals; Public health -- Research -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Integrative medicine; Medicine; Medicine -- Research; Public health; Public health -- Research; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1177/2164957X221142608
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2164-957X

Abstract

Background: The Veterans Health Administration (VA) is undergoing a transformation in how healthcare is organized and provided. This transformation to a Whole Health System of Care encompasses the integration of complementary and integrative health services, education, and Whole Health coaching to develop Veterans' self-care skills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these services were provided via telehealth (tele-WH). Objective: We sought to understand Veteran and provider perspectives on how tele-WH impacts Veteran engagement in Whole Health-aligned services and the impact on their well-being. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 51 providers who delivered tele-WH at 10 VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) and 19 Veterans receiving tele-WH at 6 VAMCs. Participants were asked about their experiences with tele-WH, what they perceived to be the impact of tele-WH on Veterans, and their preferences moving forward. Interviews were transcribed, and a content analysis was performed using a rapid approach. Results: We identified 3 major themes that describe the perceived impact of tele-WH on Veterans. These include: (1) increased use of Whole Health-aligned services; (2) deeper engagement with Whole-Health aligned services; and (3) improvements in social, psychological, and physical well-being. Conclusion: Tele-WH is perceived to be a strong complement to in-person services and is a promising mechanism for improving engagement with Whole Health-aligned services and promoting Veteran well-being. Future research is needed to measure outcomes identified in this study and to support more equitable access to telehealth for all.