Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-31eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i14.11872
Andrea D Gestiada, Mary Ann J Ladia
{"title":"Factors Associated with Subjective Well-being of Older Employees in the Academe: A Cross-sectional Study.","authors":"Andrea D Gestiada, Mary Ann J Ladia","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.11872","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.11872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Considering the vital roles of the aging workforce in the Philippine development as well as the unavailability of health data, there is a need to address gaps in the current state of employment and their quality of life, which may likewise improve their performance. This study aimed to assess the relationship of individual and workplace factors with the subjective well-being (SWB) of older employees in the academe in line with the University of the Philippines Wellness Initiatives for Seniors and Elders (UPWISE) Program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The 69 randomly selected respondents were employees ages 50 years and above as of June 30, 2020, representing the faculty, administrative staff, including the research extension and professional staff (REPS) of the leading university in the Philippines. SWB was measured through the WHO-5, and its association with the identified individual and workplace factors was tested through Fisher's exact test. The resulting <i>p</i>-values were tested at a five percent level of significance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Almost ninety percent of the respondents had better SWB. When tested at a five percent level of significance, the SWB had no significant associations with 1) individual factors: perceived health condition (<i>p</i>-value = 0.34); diagnosed health condition (<i>p</i>-value = 0.97); individuals as care recipients (<i>p</i>-value = 0.85); as well as 2) workplace factors: new knowledge and skills (<i>p</i>-value = 0.37); overall growth and development (<i>p</i>-value = 0.11); value of work (<i>p</i>-value = 0.2); and work environment (<i>p</i>-value = 0.28).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>With the lack of statistically significant associations, further research should be done with regard to other aspects of individuals and workplaces. This includes the relationship between individuals and their caregivers, including the support provided, the presence of existing health programs, personal growth efforts, working hours, and salaries. Qualitative studies may provide an in-depth understanding of the cultural factors associated with SWB in a developing country such as the Philippines.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"27-35"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525168/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-31eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i14.13801
Bernadette C Macrohon, Bernadette C Macrohon, Ben Jason H Caranay, Mirasol S Ellong, Evielyne Labbay-Kali, Rosemarie S Arciaga
{"title":"Status of Pediatric Research in the Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi Provinces: Promoters and Challenges.","authors":"Bernadette C Macrohon, Bernadette C Macrohon, Ben Jason H Caranay, Mirasol S Ellong, Evielyne Labbay-Kali, Rosemarie S Arciaga","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13801","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13801","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study looks at pediatric research in the Zamboanga Peninsula and nearby provinces (Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi), focusing on what pediatricians are doing and the challenges they face with research after completing their training.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The goal was to understand past and present research efforts and to identify what helps or hinders pediatricians in pursuing research.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed utilizing results of the survey completed by 47 pediatricians-some members and some non-members of the Philippine Pediatric Society - Southwestern Mindanao Chapter (PPS-SWM), alongside qualitative focus group discussions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings indicate a low level of research engagement among pediatricians in this region, with only 6.7% of respondents actively participating in research activities. While many pediatricians had done research during their training, few continue to do so during clinical practice. Key enablers for research involvement include peer support and training in research methods and statistics, and financial assistance. On the other hand, barriers include a lack of skills in technical writing, limited funding, and a general disinterest in research. Discussions revealed that many pediatricians find research to be an added burden, often prioritizing their clinical work instead due to financial concerns. The study suggests that to boost pediatric research in the region, it is essential to spark more interest in research and provide targeted training opportunities and wholistic support for individuals who exhibit a genuine interest in research instead of targeting pediatricians in general.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This research underscores the need for a supportive environment that encourages pediatricians to engage in research, leading to better healthcare delivery and informed decision-making for children.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"7-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525165/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-31eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i14.13850
Daisy Fangkingan-Faba-An, Brendyll F Acoking
{"title":"Work Experiences of Male Midwives in the Implementation of Maternal and Child Health Programs in Central Luzon, Philippines: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Daisy Fangkingan-Faba-An, Brendyll F Acoking","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13850","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.13850","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study explores the highlights of the crucial role of male midwives in MCH programs amidst societal perceptions and preferences for female providers. Despite their growing presence, a significant gap exists in understanding their unique experiences, challenges, and facilitating factors within a female-dominated, culturally sensitive field in Central Luzon, Philippines. This gap obstructs efforts to optimize MCH implementation and foster an inclusive workforce.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This research aims to investigate the challenges and coping strategies of male midwives in Region 3 Philippines, offering insights that can inform both policy and practice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This narrative inquiry qualitatively explored the work experiences of male midwives in Central Luzon, Philippines. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants to gather rich, personal accounts from August to October 2025. Data analysis employed thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and insights, with NVivo software utilized solely as a tool to facilitate the organization and management of the qualitative data. Participant narratives provided a detailed understanding of their roles in Maternal and Child Health programs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed five themes highlighting the complexities encountered by male midwives in the workplace: 1) Gender Stereotypes and Professional Identity; 2) Workplace Discrimination and Limited Support; 3) Cultural Barriers and Community Acceptance; 4) Emotional Labor and Work-Life Balance; and 5) Coping Strategies and Professional Development.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study reveals that male midwives face significant challenges due to gender stereotypes, discrimination, and cultural barriers, leading to isolation and professional identity uncertainty. Effective coping strategies and self-care are vital. Recommendations include fostering inclusive environments, establishing strong support networks, promoting continuous education, and advocating for policies that ensure equitable resources and support for all midwives, ultimately benefiting community health.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"14-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525175/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-31eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i14.12748
Ivy M Pawid, Cheryll M Bandaay
{"title":"Breastfeeding Self-efficacy and Factors Associated with Failure in Breastfeeding among Cesarean Mothers: A Case-control Study.","authors":"Ivy M Pawid, Cheryll M Bandaay","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.12748","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i14.12748","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breastfeeding is being advocated by several groups, including the World Health Organization, because of the favorable effects on the mother and her child. The success of breastfeeding has been challenging for post-cesarean mothers due to several factors that contribute to breastfeeding failure and low breastfeeding self-efficacy. Studies revealed several factors associated with breastfeeding, and it indicates that breastfeeding cesarean mothers are connected with various aspects independently. This study will fill the knowledge gap by collecting data to identify which of these factors has the greatest impact on breastfeeding failure and mothers' self-efficacy. Hence, nurses should be equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills to help promote breastfeeding among cesarean mothers.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The study aimed to identify the factors associated with breastfeeding failure and measure the breastfeeding self-efficacy of mothers who delivered through cesarean section based on demographic, socioeconomic, healthcare utilization, and child profile. The results were used to develop appropriate instructional materials that will promote breastfeeding among post-cesarean mothers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A quantitative-descriptive case-control design was utilized. The study was conducted from October 2023 to January 2024 in two Municipalities of Mountain Province. A systematic random sampling was utilized. The study included 181 post-cesarean mothers who fit the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using frequency, percentage, and logistic regression through odds ratio.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Post Cesarean mothers who are older, multigravida, visits health facilities often, and those who delivered an infant with normal birth weight garnered high breastfeeding self-efficacy while young mothers less than 24 years old, first-time cesarean mothers, working, mothers who attended less than four prenatal check-ups, mothers who delivered an infant less than 2.5 kilograms and more than 3.5 kilograms, and lastly, an infant with four hours and above waking hours at night are associated with low breastfeeding self-efficacy. Cesarean mothers who failed in breastfeeding are young mothers less than 24 years old (p <0.046), working cesarean mothers, and with low breastfeeding self-efficacy (p <0.001). An instructional material was developed as an outcome of the study to help promote breastfeeding among cesarean mothers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mothers who are older, more experienced, visit health facilities more often, and whose infant with normal birth weight are more efficacious in providing nutrition to infants until six months, while young, first-time mothers have low breastfeeding self-efficacy and need assistance in making sure that breastfeeding is performed correctly. Significant factors associated with breastfeeding failure that require attenti","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 14","pages":"77-86"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13525174/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148856932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-15eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i13.10615
Emmeline Elaine L Cua-De Los Santos, Brent Andrew G Viray, Rodney B Dofitas, Nicole Rose I Alberto, Regina P Berba, Jonathan P Rivera
{"title":"An Observational Study of Granulomatous Mastitis in a Philippine Breast Care Center.","authors":"Emmeline Elaine L Cua-De Los Santos, Brent Andrew G Viray, Rodney B Dofitas, Nicole Rose I Alberto, Regina P Berba, Jonathan P Rivera","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.10615","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.10615","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Granulomatous mastitis (GM) of the breast has long posed a clinical dilemma in terms of diagnosis and management. GM can range from acute to chronic inflammations, which will have treatment implications. Inflammation of the breast may clinically mimic breast carcinomas and pyogenic abscesses. Thus, in the absence of known etiology, such as trauma or breastfeeding, GM may be difficult to diagnose. Currently, the incidence of GM is 2.4 per 100,000 women and 0.37% of the total population in the US. The rarity of GM contributes to it being a poorly understood disease. It has no definite clinical features and is often confused with a neoplasm or infection clinically and radiologically.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of GM seen in the Breast Care Clinic in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) from January 2015 to June 2019. This study would initially provide institutional data on GM that is relevant in the Philippines.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a retrospective observational study of patients with GM seen in the Philippine General Hospital, a national tertiary referral hospital, from January 2015 to June 2019.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 43 patients with pathological findings of GM from January 1, 2015 to June 15, 2019 were recorded. Among these 43 patients, 98% were female. The median age was 38.9 ± 11.3 years old. In 60.5% (26 out of 43) of patients, the initial impression was breast malignancy. The most common clinical presentation in 69.8% (30 out of 43) of the subjects was a breast mass. In more than 50% of the patients, breast ultrasonography was the initial imaging performed. The histopathologic profile of the patients showed inflammation, of which, the greatest were that of chronic granulomatous inflammation (46.5%, n-20). Treatment options performed were tended more medical (53.5%, n-23) than surgical (16.3%, n-7).Among those who received medical treatment, the therapeutics given were antitubercular medications (34.9%, n-15) and antibiotics (16.3%, n-7), while the others had a combination of antitubercular and antibiotic regimen medications (2.3%, n-1); unknown treatment (25.6%, n-11) and none (11.6%, n-5). For patient outcomes, no mortalities were recorded during the study period. However, most patients had inconsistent follow-ups. Approximately 7%-23% of the patients who had followed up within the six months showed improvement or resolution of symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study assessed the clinical profiles of patients with GM in a national tertiary referral hospital. Internationally, there is still no consensus on the algorithm and management of GM patients. However, the authors recommend a close follow-up every two weeks to re-evaluate patient response to the medical regimen being administered. The authors recommend a prospective study with a longer follow-up period to gain a deeper understanding of","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 13","pages":"35-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13555582/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148918060","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-15eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i13.13333
Agatha Belen C Garcia, Joseph Adrian L Buensalido
{"title":"Usage of Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Panels at a Single Tertiary Hospital in Manila: Most Common Pathogens Detected and Implications on Antimicrobial Therapy.","authors":"Agatha Belen C Garcia, Joseph Adrian L Buensalido","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.13333","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.13333","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is an emerging diagnostic tool used to rapidly detect infectious disease pathogens, aiding decision-making in antimicrobial therapy. This study aims to describe the usage of multiplex PCR (BioFire<sup>®</sup> FilmArray<sup>®</sup>) panels, namely Respiratory Panel, Pneumonia Panel, Gastro-intestinal (GI) Panel and Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel in adult patients in a tertiary hospital in Manila, from 2020 to 2023 (2021 to 2024 for Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel); to identify the most common pathogens detected for each panel; and to determine the implications on antimicrobial therapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Panel results were retrieved with assistance from the laboratory staff through the hospital information systems (HIS), and patient demographics and antimicrobial therapy from the HIS. Descriptive analysis was done.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among adult patients subjected to Multiplex PCR panels in Asian Hospital and Medical Center in the period specified above, the most requested was the Respiratory panel, followed by the Pneumonia panel, GI panel, and ME panel. Pneumonia panel has the highest positivity rate at 61%, followed by the GI panel at 42.1%, the ME panel at 40%, and the respiratory panel at 18.3%. The majority of the respiratory panel pathogens were community-acquired, with SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, and Rhinovirus/Enterovirus as the most commonly detected pathogens. Pneumonia panel pathogens were mostly hospital-acquired, with <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (with resistance genes CTX-M and NDM) being the most commonly detected. The sample size is much smaller for the remaining panels. The most commonly found pathogens in the GI panel were the Enteroaggregative and Enteropathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Clostridium difficile</i>, and for the ME panel, <i>Streptococcus agalactiae</i> and Varicella zoster virus. Overall, awareness of the etiologies of infectious diseases through multiplex PCR panels led to starting of new antimicrobials and the continuation of the present antimicrobials, more than shifting or stopping antimicrobials.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study determined the most common pathogens detected in Multiplex PCR panels in Asian Hospital and Medical Center as above. Awareness of the etiologic agents for all 4 panels appeared useful in the decision-making on antimicrobial therapy. In the respiratory panel, the majority resulted in starting new anti-microbials (32.4%), followed by continuing anti-microbials (23.1%). In the pneumonia panel, it seemed like the majority had already started the appropriate empiric therapy since most continued with the present antibiotics (51.7%), followed by starting (22.8%) and shifting (18.3%) antimicrobials. In the GI panel, most also continued with the current antibiotics (29.5%), closely followed by starting (17.6%), remaining withou","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 13","pages":"76-88"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519151/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148838814","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-15eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i13.14467
Angela G Sison-Aguilar
{"title":"Introspective Analysis of Current Systems to Transform Health Care.","authors":"Angela G Sison-Aguilar","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.14467","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.14467","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 13","pages":"5-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519155/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148838638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-15eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i13.13009
Redante D Mendoza, Laurence B Reyes, Athena D Awayan-Lat
{"title":"Virtual Patients from the Learner's Perspective: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Method Study Utilizing Evaluation of Technology-enhanced Learning Materials.","authors":"Redante D Mendoza, Laurence B Reyes, Athena D Awayan-Lat","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.13009","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.13009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>The use of virtual patient simulations in medical education has recently gained significant attention due to the limitations of traditional clinical training methods, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual patients are interactive digital simulations of real-life clinical cases designed to enhance medical education and training. These simulations expose learners to simulated clinical experiences, providing mechanisms for information gathering and clinical decision-making in a safe environment. Although there are studies that state the effect of this technology on learners' performance, there are limited studies that describe how it is perceived by medical students in the local setting.This study integrated the use of virtual patient simulations in different courses and activities in blended and face-to-face learning to identify the perceptions of medical students in using virtual patients (ViP).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A convergent parallel mixed method was employed to compare and analyze quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data from the database of feedback responses of medical students who had experience with ViP using the evaluation of technology-enhanced learning materials (ETELM), in a private medical school affiliated with a private tertiary hospital in the urban center of a lower-middle-income country. Responses from the 7-point Likert scale of the ETELM questionnaire were quantitatively analyzed. Data from the open-ended questions of the ETELM underwent thematic analysis to find commonalities and patterns among perceptions and comments of the learners.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 511 responses analyzed from 280 unique respondents to gain insight into students' perceptions of using ViP. Thematic analysis revealed five themes: objectives, technology, learning activities, performance evaluation, and impact.Items on the theme of Objectives and Impact had the highest agreement (mean score of 6.02). The Objectives theme revealed that medical students see the importance of session preparation and planning in relation to the content of the virtual patients and their relevance to participants' competency needs. In the Impact theme, ViP gave the respondents the impression of having a realistic experience in patient management; therefore, illustrating their perceived effectiveness of the learning process obtained from the ViP learning sessions. Items on the theme of Performance Evaluation had the lowest agreement (mean score of 5.86). Participants discerned that providing feedback may be helpful to improve their understanding and learning about the material.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The medical students' perceptions of virtual patients are highly positive. The feedback indicates that the participants felt supported, engaged, and technically prepared. This suggests that the use of ViP aligned effectively with their needs and expectations. However, ","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 13","pages":"89-99"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519154/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148838820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-15eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i13.13678
Rod Charlie R Delos Reyes, John Erick B Quiniquini, Erlyn A Sana
{"title":"Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Filipino Healthcare Professionals on LGBT Health: Implications for Inclusive Care.","authors":"Rod Charlie R Delos Reyes, John Erick B Quiniquini, Erlyn A Sana","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.13678","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.13678","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite reforms and initiatives to give access to quality healthcare, occupational injustice and unfair treatment toward the LGBT community persist in the Philippines.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Filipino healthcare professionals concerning individuals who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) through an explanatory sequential mixed-method research design.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The quantitative phase involved an online survey using the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward LGBT in Healthcare Questionnaire (KAP-LHQ) among 132 Filipino healthcare professionals recruited through social media. After analyzing the quantitative data using descriptive statistics, the qualitative phase proceeded, which involved key informant interviews of five purposively selected participants. Thematic analysis was utilized to understand the qualitative data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Findings indicated a significant knowledge gap, with over 70% of the professionals unfamiliar with basic LGBT terminology. While 66% had received gender sensitivity training, more than half had never provided care for an LGBT client, indicating a disconnect between knowledge and practice. Key themes arising from the qualitative findings highlighted the need for structured and formal training, the importance of personal exposure to the LGBT community, and the value of culturally sensitive care to enable reduction in stigma and improve service provision.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There have been a lot of improvements regarding how healthcare professionals interact with the LGBT community in Philippine healthcare, but there are still evident gaps in knowledge, competencies, and practice. Findings call for the urgent need for Filipinos to have comprehensive and well-informed LGBT health training and institutional policies that can enable culturally competent and fair care within healthcare for all individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 13","pages":"18-27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519157/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148838573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta Medica PhilippinaPub Date : 2026-07-15eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.47895/amp.v60i13.13750
Evangeline Bascara Dela Fuente
{"title":"Development of a Transformative Model of Change for Mental Health Education, Research, and Service.","authors":"Evangeline Bascara Dela Fuente","doi":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.13750","DOIUrl":"10.47895/amp.v60i13.13750","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The challenges and opportunities of the 21<sup>st</sup> century necessitate transformative change in health professions education toward a collaborative and quality-oriented culture. A transformational learning approach, facilitated by organizational support, strong change valence, and psychological safety, can promote organizational readiness to change and engagement in initiatives that yield measurable outcomes at the individual, group, and organizational levels.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The study aimed to identify factors that contribute to organizational readiness to change, describe the impact of the process of change at the individual, group and organizational levels, determine appropriate indicators to measure the intended and emergent outcomes, and describe the effect of the use of reflexivity on the researcher and the research process.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Data sources included structured observations, surveys, interviews, and document review, allowing for methodological triangulation. The study site is a clinical department in a national university with a total of ninety (90) participants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Quantitative results identified supportive situational factors (β = 0.462-0.486, 95% CIs excluding zero) and task demands (β = 0.238-0.283, 95% CIs excluding zero) as the only statistically significant predictors of organizational readiness to change. Change valence and psychological safety demonstrated small, non-significant effects (|β| <0.20). Readiness was therefore strongly associated with organizational support and clarity of expectations even in the context of perceived resource constraints. The transformative learning approach was associated with enhanced leadership development, a strengthened collaborative culture, and measurable gains in education, training, research, and service. Reflexive practice contributed to methodological rigor and informed key research decisions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings have validated and refined the conceptual framework on the process of promoting change toward desired outcomes in the clinical department under study. The insights gained have also informed the next steps in facilitating the progression of the department in becoming future-proofed and may be considered for application in organizations similarly undergoing change.</p>","PeriodicalId":6994,"journal":{"name":"Acta Medica Philippina","volume":"60 13","pages":"7-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519150/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148838974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}