U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
Skip to main content
The word "THRIVE" with a healthful tree in the middle representing wellness.

Last updated

Transforming Health and Resiliency through Integration of Values-based Experiences (THRIVE)

Share Print

THRIVE 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.

This innovation is scaling widely with the support of national stakeholders. See more scaling innovations.

Adoptions:

25 successful, 13 in-progress, 2 unsuccessful

Awards and Recognition:

VISN 8 Innovation Forum; NCP Promising Practice; Endorsed by OPCC, Diffusion of Excellence Promising Practice, VHA Shark Tank Winner, FedHealth IT Award

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 Primary Care, Office of Rural Health, Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, Quality Enhancement Research Initiative

Contact Team

Overview

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
... See more

Images

THRIVE provides opportunity for self-growth

A survey of Veterans one year post military discharge

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. A closed cohort group comes together for 14 weeks to discuss different healthcare topics, such as: Sleep, Intuitive Nutrition, Mental Hea
... See more

Images

The THRIVE Roadmap to Well-being

Veterans THRIVE Program

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, and 11% increase in neuroplasticity. Additionally, tracking qualitative outcomes for facilitators involved in running THRIVE group ... See more

Images

Veteran outcome data

Metrics

  • Veteran lives improved each year: 1000+
  • Estimated staff lives improved each year: 150

Diffusion tracker

Does not include Clinical Resource Hubs (CRH)

Statuses

FL: C.W. Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Bay Pines)
  • Lack of sufficient leadership/key stakeholder buy-in
LA: New Orleans VA Medical Center (New Orleans)
  • Lack of sufficient leadership/key stakeholder buy-in

Implementation

Timeline

  • THRIVE Initiation: 3-4 months
    Step 1: THRIVE Immersion Training Part I
    Step 2: Collaborating with Leadership to Establish Support, Recruit and Train the Core Team, Identify Subject Matter Experts
    Step 3: Attend THRIVE Immersion Part 2
    Step 4: Gather materials, Initiate First Clinic builds, Veteran Recruitment and Scheduling
    Step 5: Evaluating Feedback, QI Metrics, Leadership Update
    Step 6: Train Additional Staff; Start Additional Groups; Spread to CBOCs

Departments

  • Mental health care
  • Chaplaincy
  • Pharmacy
  • 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
  • Whole Health Program Manager, initial training, implementation/recruitment
  • Mental Health (Psych, SW), initial training, implementation 2-4 hours/week for 14 weeks protected time
  • Dietitian, initial training, implementation 2-4 hours/week for 2 weeks protected time
PROCESSES
  • THRIVE Immersion Part 1
  • THRIVE Immersion Part 2
TOOLS
  • Computer with Audio and Video
  • Supplies for veterans: Workbooks, Canvas, Glue, Tissue Paper, Markers

Optional Resources

Resource type Resource description
PEOPLE
  • Healthy Living Team Members, initial training, implementation 2-4 hours/week for 14 weeks
  • Women Veterans Program Manager, initial training, implementation/recruitment
  • Chaplain, initial training, implementation 2-4 hours/week for 2 weeks
  • Whole Health Coach (or Peer Support), initial training, implementation 2-4 hours/week for 14 weeks
  • Recreational Therapist, initial training, implementation 2-4 hours/week for 2 weeks

Support Resources

Resource type Resource description
PEOPLE
  • Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel
PROCESSES
  • MS TEAMS Resources

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.

VA User (Physician) Innovation adopter posted

I am very much interested to start this process/training at my VA Hospital. I have gone through all the materials available. Thanks to Tampa and Dr. Paykel. I need to know if there is any formal training required to start this program and then when is it offered? Is there a format to get this training to start this program available virtually. I think I have read enough and gone through all the material diligently to know a lot about the program.

VA User (Nursing Assistant) posted

I need to learn more about innovation.

1
VA User (Registered Dietitian) Innovation adopter posted

We are integrating this program as an offering to our women at the VA Pacific Islands Centers!

1
VA User (Director) Innovation adopter posted

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.

1
VA User (Social Science Program Coordinator) posted

Congratulations for the huge achievements !!

1
VA User (Social Science Program Coordinator) Innovation owner posted

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.

1

Email

Email 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, Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel had 20 years of experience in integrative health care. She was deeply troubled by the profound hopelessness of the patients. She asked “Why?” 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. She knew the VA could provide these missing links! Inspired by the self-help literature, a curriculum was created. Like-minded colleagues from various disciplines came together to form THRIVE (Transforming Health and Resilience through Integration of Values-based Experiences). The group (physician, psychologist, social worker, pharmacist, dietitian, chaplain, nurses and recreation therapist) wanted the same thing for patients! As the group 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, THRIVE grew to what it is today. 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

Womens Health Medical Director