Whole Person Health Index (WPHI) Overview
The WPHI (9-question tool) was developed through NIH and CDC collaboration and is now implemented in All of Us, National Health Interview Survey, and cancer centers. It engages patients in whole-person care, supports holistic documentation, and enables systematic evaluation with longitudinal research potential. The WPHI questions are free to use and can be administered in person or online. University of Vermont is developing an implementation process, and more information will be available soon.
Implementation and Value of WPHI in Integrative Oncology
“We have implemented WPHI in all patients seen at UCI integrative oncology for a few months. I find it valuable in that it 1) gives us a snapshot of a patient’s life and put their cancer in the context of their life, 2) serves as a conversation starter for discussing holistic whole person health, 3) helps us identify the shortest plank in their health and prioritize it so that we can make the most impact, 4) helps the patient focus on positive changes they can make rather than mere reducing the negatives (symptoms), 5) demonstrates with actions that at UCI we are caring for you as a whole person, and 6) lays the foundation for integrative whole person cancer care outcome research.”
– Gary Deng, MD, PhD; Professor of Medicine, University of California Irvine; Associate Director, UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; Director of Integrative Oncology, UCI Health.
Whole Person Health Index Nine Questions
All items use the same response scale:
1 = Poor 2 = Fair 3 = Good 4 = Very Good 5 = Excellent
| Self-Rated Health | How would you say your health is in general? |
| Quality of Life | How would you rate your quality of life, focusing on what matters most to you? |
| Social and Family Connections | How would you rate your social and family connections? |
| Diet | In general, how healthy is your overall diet? |
| Physical Activity | How would you rate your physical activity, compared with people in your age group? |
| Ability to Manage Stress | How would you rate your ability to manage stress? |
| Sleep | How would you rate your sleep? |
| Meaning and Purpose | How would you rate your ability to find meaning and purpose in your daily life? |
| Health Management | How would you rate your ability to manage your health, focusing on aspects of your health that matter most to you? |
The nine questions are currently posted on the UVM Osher Center website at: https://www.uvm.edu/osher/osher/research/whole-person-health-index
For information: Contact UVM Osher Center Team: oshercenter@uvm.edu