Virginia Research Day 2025

Faculty Research Clinical

01 Patient Preferences for Whole Health Treatment Plans for Chronic Pain Within an Interdisciplinary Pain Program at a VA

Jody Caretti, BS; Stephanie Smith, RN, BSN; Teresa Johnson, PhD; Rena E. Courtney, PhD Corresponding author: rena.courtney2@va.gov

Salem VA Health Care System Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Veterans Integrated Service Network 6 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (VISN 6 MIRECC) Edward Via Collage of Osteopathic Medicine

to determine the feasibility and acceptability of PREVAIL IDT Track. Patients who enrolled in PREVAIL IDT Track from Jan 2022 through June 2024 were included. Data on which of the 8 Whole Health self-care components (2 minimum, 4 maximum) each patient chose during their initial evaluation was extracted from the medical record. The data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: Five hundred sixty-one veterans completed the PREVAIL IDT Track initial evaluation. Seventy-four percent chose Moving the Body (i.e., exercise), 51% chose Power of the Mind (i.e., mental health), 48% chose Food and Drink (i.e., nutrition), 40% chose Rest and Recharge (i.e., sleep), 35% chose Personal Development, 24% chose Surroundings (e.g., de-cluttering), 16% Family, Friends, and Co-Workers (i.e., relationships), and 8% chose Spirit and Soul (i.e., spirituality). Conclusion: This study was the first of its kind to demonstrate Veterans’ preferences for their patient

centered, Whole Health-focused treatment plans for chronic pain. When given the chance to select their own areas for self-care, Veterans report motivation to increase engagement in physical activity, better manage their mental health, and improve their diet. This patient-centered approach to treatment planning may allow clinicians can determine the areas of self care which patients feel are most important and on which they are most willing to work. The sense of agency for the Veteran may increase the likelihood of increased participation in self-care, resulting in better outcomes. Further research is warranted to evaluate the difference in engagement and outcomes when patients choose their own goal areas versus when they are assigned goal areas by the clinicians. This study was approved by the Salem VAHCS IRB (protocol # REC 0001).

Introduction: The Whole Health approach emphasizes patient-centered care within team-based settings. However, there is extant data on patient preferences for the content of these treatment plans. The PREVAIL Interdisciplinary Team Track Program (PREVAIL IDT Track) at the Salem Veterans Affairs Health Care System (Salem VAHCS) utilizes the Whole Health approach to develop individualized treatment plans for pain. During the initial evaluation with 5 pain specialists (interventional pain, psychology, pharmacy, nutrition, physical therapy), veterans grade how well they are doing in eight Whole Health self-care areas that may be influencing their chronic pain. Veterans are then asked to select at least two self-care areas to focus on during the six month program as a method of improving their pain and other symptoms. Methods: Patients at the Salem VAHCS who were actively participating in the PREVAIL IDT Track program and who experienced chronic pain were enrolled in this IRB-approved study designed

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2025 Research Recognition Day