Transforming Health and Resiliency through Integration of Values-based Experiences (THRIVE)
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Share PrintTHRIVE enhances well-being for both Veterans and staff alike by engaging people in a transformational experience. In short, the program empowers individuals to improve their quality of life through exploration of their values and strengths, a positive psychology concept. Individuals experience improvement in life satisfaction and burnout symptoms.
Origin:
March 2015, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (Tampa, Florida)
Adoptions:
18 successful, 14 in-progress, 2 unsuccessful
Awards and Recognition:
VISN 8 Innovation Forum; NCP Promising Practice; Endorsed by OPCC; Innovation Ecosystem National Dissemination, Diffusion of Excellence Promising Practice, VHA Shark Tank Winner
Partners:
Caregiver Support Program, Chaplain Services, Healthcare Innovation and Learning, Health Services Research & Development, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Office of Connected Care, Office of Nursing Services, Office of Primary Care, Office of Rural Health, Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy, Systems Redesign and Improvement
Recent Updates
Overview
The problem
Although we provide excellent sick and maintenance care, there is a lack of VA clinical care that helps Veterans build resilience, enhance their health, and lead a more fulfilling life. With stressors high and access to preventative care low, Veterans are seeking something different in their healthcare experience.
For our VA employees, burnout, dissatisf ... Although we provide excellent sick and maintenance care, there is a lack of VA clinical care that helps Veterans build resilience, enhance their health, and lead a more fulfilling life. With stressors high and access to preventative care low, Veterans are seeking something different in their healthcare experience.
For our VA employees, burnout, dissatisfaction and disengagement are climbing, which contributes significantly to impaired patient care, staff demoralization and attrition. See more
For our VA employees, burnout, dissatisf ... Although we provide excellent sick and maintenance care, there is a lack of VA clinical care that helps Veterans build resilience, enhance their health, and lead a more fulfilling life. With stressors high and access to preventative care low, Veterans are seeking something different in their healthcare experience.
For our VA employees, burnout, dissatisfaction and disengagement are climbing, which contributes significantly to impaired patient care, staff demoralization and attrition. See more
Images
Above:
THRIVE provides opportunity for self-growth
Above:
A survey of Veterans one year post military discharge
The solution
THRIVE is a multifaceted program, as it addresses the well-being of both Veterans and VA employees.
For Veterans, the healthcare experience is enhanced through increased access and multidisciplinary care coordination. The program aligns with the VA's priorities to deliver the best care possible with focus on whole health practice. THRIVE measurably impr ... THRIVE is a multifaceted program, as it addresses the well-being of both Veterans and VA employees.
For Veterans, the healthcare experience is enhanced through increased access and multidisciplinary care coordination. The program aligns with the VA's priorities to deliver the best care possible with focus on whole health practice. THRIVE measurably improves physical, psychological, and emotional pain thresholds to reach beyond baseline to live a more fulfilling life.
To implement the Veteran program, a Train-the-Trainer was developed, THRIVE Immersion Part 1 and Part 2 (TMS #131001614 and 131001617). It is apparent that employees experiencing THRIVE were decreasing their symptoms of burnout and flourishing as well. Thus, "Mini THRIVE" was created, a 5-hour session focused on building resiliency and reducing burnout specifically for staff (TMS #131001427).
Although many of our programs are held virtually, the energy of an in-person experience is like no other. The National THRIVE team offers our Power THRIVE Plus program (8 hours in person) specifically to enhance employee job satisfaction and retention. See more
For Veterans, the healthcare experience is enhanced through increased access and multidisciplinary care coordination. The program aligns with the VA's priorities to deliver the best care possible with focus on whole health practice. THRIVE measurably impr ... THRIVE is a multifaceted program, as it addresses the well-being of both Veterans and VA employees.
For Veterans, the healthcare experience is enhanced through increased access and multidisciplinary care coordination. The program aligns with the VA's priorities to deliver the best care possible with focus on whole health practice. THRIVE measurably improves physical, psychological, and emotional pain thresholds to reach beyond baseline to live a more fulfilling life.
To implement the Veteran program, a Train-the-Trainer was developed, THRIVE Immersion Part 1 and Part 2 (TMS #131001614 and 131001617). It is apparent that employees experiencing THRIVE were decreasing their symptoms of burnout and flourishing as well. Thus, "Mini THRIVE" was created, a 5-hour session focused on building resiliency and reducing burnout specifically for staff (TMS #131001427).
Although many of our programs are held virtually, the energy of an in-person experience is like no other. The National THRIVE team offers our Power THRIVE Plus program (8 hours in person) specifically to enhance employee job satisfaction and retention. See more
Images
Above:
The THRIVE Roadmap to Well-being
Above:
THRIVE Immersion For Employees Flier
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Veterans THRIVE Program
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Mini THRIVE Workshop for Employees
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Power THRIVE Series for Employees
The results
James A. Haley VA Hospital & Clinics (Tampa) implemented THRIVE and tracked Veteran outcomes. Since inception, the program has demonstrated 28% reduction in depression, 29% reduction in anxiety, 25% increase in life satisfaction, 11.7% increase in neuroplasticity, and 25% reduction in experience of pain for those who finish the program.
Additionally, tra ... James A. Haley VA Hospital & Clinics (Tampa) implemented THRIVE and tracked Veteran outcomes. Since inception, the program has demonstrated 28% reduction in depression, 29% reduction in anxiety, 25% increase in life satisfaction, 11.7% increase in neuroplasticity, and 25% reduction in experience of pain for those who finish the program.
Additionally, tracking qualitative outcomes for employees involved in THRIVE has demonstrated increased employee satisfaction and well-being! One pilot study with SCI Nurses found over a 50% improvement in life satisfaction and burnout symptoms! See more
Additionally, tra ... James A. Haley VA Hospital & Clinics (Tampa) implemented THRIVE and tracked Veteran outcomes. Since inception, the program has demonstrated 28% reduction in depression, 29% reduction in anxiety, 25% increase in life satisfaction, 11.7% increase in neuroplasticity, and 25% reduction in experience of pain for those who finish the program.
Additionally, tracking qualitative outcomes for employees involved in THRIVE has demonstrated increased employee satisfaction and well-being! One pilot study with SCI Nurses found over a 50% improvement in life satisfaction and burnout symptoms! See more
Images
Above:
Veteran outcome data
Files
- Feedback Qualitative Feedback from Employees
- Published Results Published Results
Metrics
- Cost savings: 20%
- Veteran lives improved each year: 1000+
- Estimated staff lives improved each year: 150
Diffusion tracker
Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)
Multimedia
Images
Above:
20% Cost Savings!
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Timeline
Implementation
Timeline
-
THRIVE Initiation: 3-4 months
Step 1: THRIVE Immersion Training Part I (5 half days)Step 2: Collaborating with Leadership to Establish Support, Recruit and Train the Core Team, Identify Subject Matter ExpertsStep 3: Attend THRIVE Immersion Part 2 (3 Half days)Step 4: Gather materials, Initiate First Clinic builds, Veteran Recruitment and SchedulingStep 5: Evaluating Feedback, QI Metrics, Leadership UpdateStep 6: Train Additional Staff; Start Additional Groups; Spread to CBOCs
Departments
- Mental health care
- Chaplaincy
- Pharmacy
- Caregiver support
- Nursing services
- Telehealth
- Primary care
- Recreation and creative arts therapy
- Whole health
- Women Veteran care
- Nutrition, food, and dietary
Core Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
PROCESSES |
|
TOOLS |
|
Files
- Supply List Supply List for VVC
Optional Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
Files
- Implementation Guidebook Implementation Guidebook
Links
- THRIVE Overview THRIVE Overview
Support Resources
| Resource type | Resource description |
|---|---|
PEOPLE |
|
PROCESSES |
|
Risks and mitigations
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Administrative Support |
Guidance with local support personnel Guidance with Clinic Builds, Coding and Billing, Documentation |
| Protected Clinician Time | Reassure leadership of enhanced productivity and employee satisfaction with THRIVE shared medical appointments; clinic mapping; encourage afternoon timeframe for groups; group notes utilization; HAS involvement |
| Costs of start-up |
All files are available in electronic format Training is held virtually (no travel costs) Volunteer services contributes resources |
Contact
Comment
Comments and replies are disabled for retired innovations and non-VA users.
Email VHATAMWholeHealthTHRIVETeam@va.gov with questions about this innovation.
About
Origin story
“Because of THRIVE I am alive.”
A simple statement with profound implications. Janet is a middle-aged United States Veteran whose list of physical and psychological ailments filled an entire computer screen when I first met her in clinic. This accomplished career soldier of 22 years left active duty with high aspirations of her next career, of finding he
...
“Because of THRIVE I am alive.”
A simple statement with profound implications. Janet is a middle-aged United States Veteran whose list of physical and psychological ailments filled an entire computer screen when I first met her in clinic. This accomplished career soldier of 22 years left active duty with high aspirations of her next career, of finding her next purpose. Five years later she was declared 100% disabled, had 32 diagnoses, and took no less than 112 pills every day. Worst of all – her spirit was broken. She had lost all hope. She contemplated suicide every day. The only thing that kept Janet hanging on were her three grandchildren.
Over 6000 United States Veterans die by suicide every year. Per capita, that’s 1.5 times higher than the general public. Despite significant public attention and funding, these statistics have remained relatively stable over the past decade.
As a Veteran myself with 20 years of experience in integrative health care, I was deeply troubled by the profound hopelessness of my patients when I started in the VA six years ago. I began to ask, “Why?” I had many conversations with the Women Veteran Program Manager and the Medical Director of the Women’s Center trying to engineer a solution. Through these discussions and countless interviews of Veterans and colleagues the answer became apparent: The well-being of Veterans after leaving the military was dependent upon two crucial and often missing elements – developing a new community and defining a new life purpose. I knew we could provide these missing links!
Inspired by the self-help literature I had embraced as I worked through my own depression years prior while in the Navy, I developed a curriculum, recruited like-minded colleagues from various disciplines, and THRIVE (Transforming Health and Resilience through Integration of Values-based Experiences) was born. I will never forget that first day when we gathered for lunch, and I shared the vision of a multi-disciplinary shared medical appointment with a focus on specific health and well-being topics utilizing principles of Integrative Medicine, Positive Psychology and Values-based Living. It was like magic! We all (physician, psychologist, social worker, pharmacist, dietitian, chaplain, nurses and recreation therapist) wanted the same thing for our patients! As we continued to meet during lunch hours – and with lots of support from the ACOS Ambulatory Care, Nursing Services, HAS and Tampa Research Services - THRIVE Shared Medical Appointments became a reality.
Since that time, THRIVE has been endorsed by the Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation as a Whole Health Best Practice. With continued diligence of the Tampa THRIVE Team, THRIVE is now a 14-week journey of healing for Veterans that has peer-reviewed published efficacy and that has impacted thousands of Veterans and VA staff throughout the country. Bay Pines VAMC and New Orleans VAMC were our first expansion sites in 2017. With conversion to COVID-mediated virtual evolution, we now have facilities from 14 different VISNs delivering or preparing to deliver THRIVE.
So back to Janet. She completed THRIVE five years ago. Today she is thriving (pun intended) enjoying retirement and her growing grandchildren. She came to our recent THRIVE reunion and was proud to tell us all that she has been alcohol- and gambling-free for two years, she exercises every day, is off all medications except an occasional Tylenol, and is working to get THRIVE to come to her new VA home in the Midwest. And that’s when she told a room packed with Veterans and staff with tears welling in her eyes, “Because of THRIVE I am alive.”
That is why we continue to THRIVE. And you should, too!
Original team
Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel
Whole Health Chief, National THRIVE Director
Dr. Candis Connell
National THRIVE Coordinator; Health Behavior Coordinator
We are integrating this program as an offering to our women at the VA Pacific Islands Centers!
We are very excited that our bid was accepted and that we will start our journey with this innovative program at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System.
Congratulations for the huge achievements !!
This program is amongst the best within the VA. Veterans are able to become resilient as they travel thru this well structured course. The community it builds is second to none. Veterans love the ability to meet new Veterans and gain new friendships. When in search of renewing one's quality of life, physical and mental health with a holistic approach, THRIVE is the place to be. The best 14 weeks any Veteran can spend to explore a new life and gain a new passion for self health improvement. Go THRIVE.