Monday Concurrent Block 3: Whole Health: Results and lessons learned from the VA's Cultural Transformation

Whole Health is a patient-centered model of care being implemented by the Veterans Health Administration. The roll-out of Whole Health across the VA is the most extensive application of lifestyle medicine in any healthcare system. Last year, over two million veterans were touched by Whole Health. Recent findings demonstrate that those participating in Whole Health programs and services have improved health metrics, improved perception of care and increased engagement in their care. The ongoing roll-out of the Whole Health model of care provides vast experience in overcoming challenges and enjoying successes that can be readily shared and applied in practices and healthcare systems beyond the VA. The impact of Whole Health also extends to Employee Health. Employees who reported involvement with Whole Health or who participate in Whole Health for themselves reported their facility as a ‘best place to work’; lower voluntary turnover; lower burnout; and greater motivation. As was noted in a recent publication, “The concept of whole person health is one that is being adopted by many agencies, including the US National Institutes of Health NIH. A recent report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) defines Whole Health as “physical, behavioral, spiritual, and socioeconomic well-being as defined by individuals, families, and communities.” At times, WH care has been considered to be the provision of non-traditional healthcare such as complementary and integrative therapies. Yet, both the NASEM report and practitioners characterize WH care as a multidimensional approach that aligns with definitions of patient-centeredness. In the VA, Whole Health care encompasses patient-centered approaches that focus on what matters most to the veteran and services to support the veteran in achieving their personal health goals. VA’s WH System (WHS) comprises three components: (1) WH pathway, (2) WH clinical care, and (3) well-being programs. Within these components are two types of services; first, core WH services focus on helping patients identify their personal health goals and align treatment with those goals. WH pathway services help patients think about what is most important to them for their health and lives, and identify personal health goals they wish to address with their healthcare providers. WH clinical providers engage with patients to align care and treatment with patients’ personal health goals. WH coaches work with patients to engage in self-management to achieve their personal health goals. Second, well-being services include complementary and integrative health (CIH) offerings (e.g., yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, and chiropractic care), and educational classes to support patients’ ability to self-manage their health. In its ideal form, engagement with this system improves patients’ experience by engaging patients in healthcare, aligning care with their personal goals, and providing skills necessary for self-care. These changes, in turn, improve patients’ functioning, achievement of personal goals, and overall health and well-being.”

Learning Objectives

  1. Characterize the Whole Health patient-centered model of care and its applicability to lifestyle medicine.
  2. Cite the benefits of Whole Health on patients' health outcomes for chronic pain, PTSD, and eight selected clinical quality measures.
  3. Enumerate lessons from the VA's experience with implementing Whole Health for the purpose of applying them to the participants' practice and healthcare system.
  4. Describe the benefits of Whole Health for employee health and job satisfaction.
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AAFP Prescribed

    The AAFP has reviewed Monday Concurrent Block 3: Whole Health: Results and lessons learned from the VA's Cultural Transformation and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 11/15/2025 to 1/15/2026. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ABIM Medical Knowledge

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participation completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

  • 1.00 ABLM MOC

    The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.

  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy

    Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists.

  • 1.00 ACPE Technician

    Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

    Rush Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ANCC

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).

  • 1.00 APA

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • 1.00 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Rush University Medical Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Attendance

    Successful completion of this course activity, including active participation in the evaluation component, entitles the learner to receive a participation certificate from ACLM. Please note that this certificate is offered solely in recognition of engagement, and no academic or professional credit is awarded.

  • 1.00 CPEU

    This Enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.

  • 1.00 NBC-HWC

    The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) has approved 1.00 continuing education credits for this learning activity: .

  • 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-MDs)

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Physical Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

Course opens: 
11/14/2025
Course expires: 
01/16/2026
Cost:
$0.00
  • Benjamin Kligler, MD

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AAFP Prescribed

    The AAFP has reviewed Monday Concurrent Block 3: Whole Health: Results and lessons learned from the VA's Cultural Transformation and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 11/15/2025 to 1/15/2026. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ABIM Medical Knowledge

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participation completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

  • 1.00 ABLM MOC

    The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.

  • 1.00 ABS Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy

    Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists.

  • 1.00 ACPE Technician

    Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit

    Rush Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 ANCC

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).

  • 1.00 APA

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • 1.00 ASWB

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Rush University Medical Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Attendance

    Successful completion of this course activity, including active participation in the evaluation component, entitles the learner to receive a participation certificate from ACLM. Please note that this certificate is offered solely in recognition of engagement, and no academic or professional credit is awarded.

  • 1.00 CPEU

    This Enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.

  • 1.00 NBC-HWC

    The National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) has approved 1.00 continuing education credits for this learning activity: .

  • 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

  • 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-MDs)

    Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

  • 1.00 Physical Therapy CE

    Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this Enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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