Using What Matters Most to improve health care delivery for individuals and populations of veterans experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders.

OBJECTIVES

To understand ways in which the Personal Health Inventory (PHI), a tool to prompt reflection on what matters most and status in 8 components of health and well-being, can be used to inform care of homeless veterans entering a Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program, at individual and programmatic levels.

METHODS

Mixed method study was conducted at one residential treatment program. Quantitative data was collected from the PHI (n=64) and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was collected from the PHI and semi-structured staff interviews (n=9) and was analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Approximately half of veterans entering the program between January and September, 2023 completed a PHI. Themes for what matters most included: 1) reconnecting with family, 2) improving health, and 3) self-discovery. Structured responses to the 8 areas of health indicated lowest satisfaction with: 1) relationships, 2) personal development, and 3) surroundings. Staff interviews indicated knowing where veterans are most and least satisfied helped inform goal setting and connection to resources. Population-level analysis of information from the PHI prompted reflection on existing programming.

CONCLUSIONS

Residential treatment programs may benefit from incorporating brief instruments like the PHI to inform individual care and overall program offerings.