What matters most to you?
It is a question that is starting to infiltrate doctor exams more and more. You may be thinking, “What does this have to do with my health?”.
The answer: EVERYTHING. Researchers have found that a person’s mental health has a tremendous impact on their physical health. Being connected to your life mission and purpose (what matters most) will improve your overall outlook and even help you manage pain better.
Understanding “what matters most to you” is foundational to the VA’s Whole Health approach to care. It allows your doctor to get to know you as a person, rather than just another patient in the waiting room, thus giving a more personalized approach to your healthcare. The approach doesn’t replace the traditional way you receive your healthcare, but rather expands and transforms the approach to your illness or condition to put you at the center of care. Focused more on your values and goals, your provider will start saying things like “What matters most to you” or “What do you want your health for?”
Like the camaraderie found in the military, your healthcare team stands shoulder-to-shoulder with you to help set health goals, make changes, and get you back to doing what you love most. When speaking with your provider, you will learn about the connections between important aspects of your life and your well-being. From there, you will create a goal for which your provider will present you with different approaches, which will put you in control of your health. Approaches can range from exercise classes to mindfulness to health coaching. You start to build your platoon to achieve your mission.
“I told my folks I wanted to make some changes to my mental attitude, my physical health, and my activity level,” said Mike Koster a 33-year Air Force Veteran and patient at the Iowa City VA Medical Center. “The Whole Health approach has had a significant impact on my life. It's not ending; we're not there yet will be a continuing care team relationship, and the same thing can be available for you.” When asked about the whole health approach that works for him, Koster says “People don’t give up on me. When you offer them a goal they know where your energy level is and what is important to you and can provide you with meaningful suggestions or medications or whatever they believe will do the most for you in that area. And they ask you to balance that with some investments from yourself, you’ve got to have some skin in the game if you want to achieve your best. It’s a team approach.”
The team consists of the Veteran, Veteran peer facilitators/Veteran Partners, and VA medical professionals, as well as any other outside support the Veteran wants to include like health coaches, physical therapists, or counselors. The team works together to understand your needs and helps you accomplish those needs for your new health journey. For more information on Whole Health, ask your primary care provider about the approach. To hear more of Mike Koster’s story visit our YouTube page.