Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links.

Minneapolis VA Health Care System

 

Health Education

Health & Wellness Center | Programs | Outpatient | Inpatient | TV | Online

Health & Wellness Education

photo of a patient in Patient Education LibraryThe staff at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center care about you and your family. Your health is important to us. We want to help you live a healthy life and to learn ways to self-manage your own health. There are a number of health education resources available to Veterans at no cost.

The Veteran's Health Education staff serves both our inpatients and outpatients. Veteran's Health Education helps educate patients and family members about their healthcare. There are many programs and classes offered to our Veterans.

>> Take the Patient Education Website Survey via email <<

Health & Wellness Learning Center

Our Health & Wellness Learning Center is staffed by an experienced patient education librarian. The Health & Wellness Learning Center contains a large collection of easy-to-read health and wellness books, health education newsletters, models, DVDs, CDs, and pamphlets. Computers are available for health and wellness information and to access the My HealtheVet website.

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 612-467-4212
Location: Minneapolis VA Medical Center, 1st floor, near Outpatient Entrance. 

My HealtheVet (MHV)

MHV is a website for Veterans to help them manage their health. An advanced account gives you partial access to the website and lets you refill your prescriptions online, keep food and activity journals, and research health topics. A premium account gives you full access, which includes VA notes, appointments, lab and test results, Secure Messaging, and much more. To get a premium account, you must register online at www.myhealth.va.gov and then come in person to the Patient Education Center (1S-134) or Release of Information (BR-105) at the Medical Center in Minneapolis or your VA community clinic to sign a release of information form. If you don’t already have an account, register today!

|| My HealtheVet website ||

|| Register for My HealtheVet account ||

Veterans Health Library (VHL) Online

VHL is a one-stop source for health information. It has over 1500 health information sheets and over 150 videos. A wide variety of topics are covered including some of specific interest to Veterans, for example, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and combat-related traumatic brain injury (TBI), Agent Orange and Cold Injuries.

|| Veterans Health Library ||

Veteran's Health Education Programs and Classes

In addition to the classes listed on this page, you can use the following resource guides to start a conversation with your provider about services that might benefit you. Please be advised that you may need to be assigned a Mental Health provider in order to access many of the services included in the Mental Health Resources List. However, for certain drop-in groups, like those dealing with pain or peer support, this is not always the case.

|| Minneapolis VA Mental Health Resource List ||

|| Minneapolis Veteran Health Resources Handbook ||

 

Tobacco Cessation

If you are a patient of the Minneapolis VA or one of its Community Clinics and you are ready to quit using tobacco:

  • Talk to your PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team) provider (MD, PA NP or Psychologist), your nurse, pharmacist or therapist either in person or by Secure Messaging.
  • Contact the Call Center at 612-467-1100 or 1-866-414-5058 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday (except Holidays).
  • Minneapolis VA offers a 3-session group and an 8-session individual tobacco cessation class along with medications and counseling from your pharmacist or PACT provider.

Also try these resources: QuitVet 1-855-784-8838; National Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669); DOD/VA Website: www.ucanquit2.org; SmokefreeVET: Text 47848 from any mobile phone (24/7).

MOVE! Weight Management Program:

If you want to lose weight, keep it off, and improve your health, the MOVE! Weight Management Program is for you. Treatments range from self-management support to outpatient group education sessions and in-house intensive treatment with possible bariatric surgery. Contact the MOVE! Hotline at (612)629-7388 or toll free (866)414-5058 ext 7388. Check out the MOVE! website at www.move.va.gov to find out for more information about the program.

VA Diabetes Education Program:

Educates new diabetic Veterans and those needing a refresher on all aspects of diabetes management. This includes initial and ongoing diagnosis and treatment, blood glucose testing, insulin administration and pre-diabetes conditions. Ask your provider today for a Diabetes Education Consult to enroll in this program. 

Pain Management

Walk-in classes provide information for Veterans about talking to healthcare providers and living with chronic pain. Speak with your provider today to learn about chronic pain management and consider attending one of the following classes to learn more:

  • Persistent Pain: Calming your Nerves, Caring for Yourself Offered monthly, beginning January 13th, 2015, on the 2nd Wednesday from 9:30-11:00A in room 2H-101

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program:

MBSR uses mindfulness meditation techniques to help you overcome stress. Mindfulness is an ancient form of meditation. It brings a new awareness of body sensations, thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness meditation opens a healing pathway for handling stress and pain. You can benefit from this program if you are open to trying a life-style change for 8 weeks, willing to practice 45 minutes a day, and are ready to take an active role in your healing process. Talk to your VA healthcare provider today to enroll in this program.

Cancer Clinical Trials:

The Minneapolis VA participates in several cancer clinical trials. A clinical trial is a research study that tests new ways to prevent and treat cancer. A list of ‘active’ clinical trials open at the Minneapolis VA is available from the clinical research nurse in the Hematology Oncology Section. This list is also available in the Cancer Resource Room/Chemotherapy Education Room. For more information about clinical trials visit:

Enrollment to clinical trials is encouraged whenever feasible; however, patients are made aware of the alternate treatment options available and the standard of care based on practice guidelines such as the NCCN.

Online

Veteran Training offers free online courses that were designed specifically for Veterans, Service Members, and their families. These courses teach skills and tools to help users enhance different aspects of their lives. Courses are completely confidential. Registration is not required and no personal information is collected at any time.

 

 

Outpatient

Ongoing health education is provided during clinic visits. Education focuses on health promotion, upcoming tests and procedures, medications, diagnosis and treatments. Staff can also tell you about upcoming education classes that are available. During these visits, please ask your healthcare provider any questions you have about your health. If you don’t understand an answer, ask again.

Inpatient

For inpatients, the patient education process begins admission, and continues until your discharge. Our goal is to make your hospital stay as pleasant as possible and to create an environment where you feel comfortable asking questions about your health concerns.

TIGR TV

An on-demand education video system is available for all inpatient rooms, and in some waiting areas. Ask the staff for further information on how to access this system.

return to top go