The staff at the Fargo VA Healthcare System have provided a number of ways for you to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle and to self-manage your own health.
Patient Education Coordinator
There is a patient education coordinator on site to assist you with any additional educational needs that you may have, which have not been met by the nurses who have been caring for you. Contact the Patient Education Coordinator at 701-239-3700 extension 3655 for any questions about patient education programs or classes offered at the Fargo VA.
My Healthe Vet
The My HealtheVet site provides veterans and their families excellent, reliable patient education information as well as the latest VA News. Information about veterans benefits and services is also available.
Upon registering with My HealtheVet, you will be able to —
- refill prescriptions online
- keep personal food and activity journals
- monitor your personal health data, such as blood pressure and pain levels
- maintain your own self-entered personal health record
Outpatient Education
Clinical staff provides ongoing health education during regularly scheduled outpatient clinic visits. Training includes —
- health promotion
- upcoming tests and procedures
- medications
- diagnoses
- treatments
Veterans are encouraged to ask your health care providers for educational materials.
Inpatient Education
Clinical staff begins the patient education process at the time of admission, continues patient education during the hospital stay, and delivers education to patients on discharge. Our goal is to provide a hospital environment where patients —
- continually receive updated health information
- are able to ask questions about their health
- will be able to care for themselves when they return home
Patient Education Classes
Listed below are the classes offered by the Fargo VA Medical Center. If you are interested in any of these classes, please contact your Primary Care Provider.
Diabetes Education Class
Diabetes Education classes are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of every month at the Fargo VA Healthcare System. Classes include information on living with diabetes, nutrition, testing blood sugar levels, recognizing and treating low and high blood sugars, and insulin administration. All diabetics are welcome to attend. Referral must be made by your Primary Care Provider.
Nutrition Education
Individual nutritional counseling is available for veterans as an inpatient or an outpatient. A referral can be made by your physician or a personal request can be made by you. Nutritional education is also included with the Diabetes Education group classes.
MOVE! Classes
The MOVE! Program provides education and support to veterans and their families who are trying to lose weight. Individual nutrition counseling and group nutrition classes are available. Education is provided by a registered dietician. There are also support groups available for veterans trying to maintain weight. MOVE! group classes are held the first and fourth Mondays and the third and fourth Thursdays.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop—Living well Class
Living Well Class is for veterans and/or family members who have a chronic disease, such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure or any other chronic condition. Each weekly session is 2 1/2 hours for 6 weeks. The classes are held at the Fargo VA Healthcare System or at one of the community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). Topics included are coping with chronic disease management, eating healthy, exercise, stress management and talking with your provider. Participants will set health goals to work toward during the 6 week workshop.
Smoking Cessation Education Group
This group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. This class is for smokers who have tried smoking cessation medications and have not been successful. This group discusses ways to avoid triggers, coping with triggers, how to avoid gaining weight along with other helpful information to help you quit smoking. Referral for this group must be made through your Primary Care Provider.
|
