Best Practices

Using Life Stories to Connect Veterans and Providers

Fed Pract. 2015 June;32(6):8-14

References

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Conclusion

Veteran stories, when skillfully elicited and carefully crafted, give providers an opportunity to know their patients better, without impinging on their time. For veterans, the experience of being interviewed and the knowledge that their story will be shared with providers is an important recognition that they matter and have a voice in their health care. In a world of high-technology health care, where time is the only thing in short supply, My Life, My Story leverages the old-world technology of storytelling to bring providers and patients closer together.

Acknowledgments
The authors wish to acknowledge Amanda Hall and Jessica Jones who were interviewer/writers on the initial project. Both contributed immeasurably to the design and success of the project. The authors would also like to acknowledge Matt Spira who was our first volunteer interviewer and gave us the inspiration to recruit more volunteers. Volunteer Mary Johnston interviewed and wrote the sample veteran story in this article. We would also like to thank the nursing staff on 4A, 4B, and the community living center for their patience when we were in the way and for their support of the project. Last and most important, we would like to thank the veterans who were interviewed for this project. We have all learned more than we could have imagined from the stories that you shared with us. Your sacrifice, courage, and dedication both in the military and your personal lives are truly an inspiration. Thank you.

Author disclosures
The authors report no actual or potential conflicts of interest with regard to this article.

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Federal Practitioner, Frontline Medical Communications Inc., the U.S. Government, or any of its agencies. This article may discuss unlabeled or investigational use of certain drugs. Please review the complete prescribing information for specific drugs or drug combinations—including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects—before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.