Katey Krohn
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Dr. Nikhil Parekh
Research Mentor School/College/Department: VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System / NonUM
Program: UROP
Session: Session 3 (11:00am – 11:50am)
Authors: Katey Krohn, Dr. Nikhil Parekh
Abstract
This study analyzes the Whole Health practices of veterans, students, and healthcare workers, and considers how a broader view of healthcare impacts health and well-being. Whole Health is an approach created by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that seeks to educate people on eight aspects of their well-being: Moving the Body, Surroundings, Personal Development, Food & Drink, Recharge, Family, Friends, & Co-workers, Spirit & Soul, and Power of the Mind. The research team complied a survey of quantitative and qualitative questions asking participants to discuss their opinions of certain health practices and their own wellbeing practices. The survey was distributed throughout the country through Qualtrics, an online survey platform. The research team developed various implementation programs based on the results. Our results concluded that students are significantly more likely to suffer from bad body image, so therefore, my team designed an email-based body image improvement program, in which participants completed five-minute tasks daily to reinforce a positive body image. Overall, the use of Whole Health practices that improve wellbeing are valuable in many populations and will continue to become a vital consideration as the definition of healthcare continues to expand.
