| Learning Objective #1: Discover the significance of photographs and storytelling in research regarding health and health care | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe the common themes predominant in veterans' perceptions of health |
ABSTRACT
This qualitative, descriptive study explored veterans’ perceptions of health. Consideration of veterans’ perceptions will assist in the provision of appropriate services to meet their needs. A descriptive study was conducted to investigate veterans’ perceptions of health. A purposive sample of 20 primary care clinic veteran patients from a Pennsylvania Veterans Affair Medical Center was utilized for this study. Participants were provided with cameras to take photographs that illustrated their perception of health. Utilizing the method of storytelling, participants were interviewed and asked to describe how or why the pictures they took represented “health” to them. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and transcriptions were analyzed for common themes. Predominant in the data were four themes: (1) physical, (2) mental,(3) social, and (4) spiritual dimensions of human nature. These themes provide an overarching conceptual framework from which the veterans view health. Findings of this study have significance regarding the health and health care of our nation’s veterans. A greater understanding of what veterans perceive to be health can enhance health promotion strategies targeted at this specific population. In addition, findings can provide direction for further research in the area of the health care needs of veterans.
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