Table 3 Major themes and supporting evidence from formative research analysis, and corresponding intervention components

Collaborative goal setting

• Veterans and VA staff felt positively about using goal setting for healthy behavior change

• VA staff felt patients often set unrealistic goals, but VA staff burden increased when they had to work with patients to scale goals down

• Online tool creates initial goals

• Health coach helps refine into SMART goals

• PACT members endorse goals and provide motivational interviewing if needed

Accountability and Feedback

• Veterans wanted someone to hold them accountable to their goals and receive advice from their primary care team

• VA staff faced time constraints when discussing goal setting during the PC visit

• VA staff described lack of effective or standardized way to record patient goals and communicate them to their PACT

• Health coach primarily delivers intervention and refines goals with Veterans

• PACT members use an EMR research note and automatic reminder to discuss/update goals during next visit

• Telephone coaching allows Health Coach to regularly follow up Veterans, document progress, and adjust goals

Assistance with Technology

• Some Veterans were familiar with various technology platforms and used tools to research health information and/or facilitate healthy behaviors, while others felt uncomfortable using technology without guidance

• Veterans and VA staff agreed that a knowledgeable individual should be available to assist patients in using technology

• Online tool has built-in instruction slide

• Health coach is present to answer questions and/or guide Veteran while using online tool

Difficulties with Transportation

• Veterans described barriers (ex. physical disabilities and/or financial issues) to traveling to the VA for scheduled primary care appointments or MOVE! sessions

• Telephone coaching allows Health Coach to meet with Veterans via telephone at convenient times for the patient