PCP Convention 2010: Medicine beyond Medicine: Traversing Boundaries, Crossing Borders
The PSBIM 2010 Written Certifying Examinations in Internal Medicine Results
MisOr uses cell phones and the Web to enhance surgical services
Philippines Medical Tourism
CHED Released the Top 20 Nursing Schools
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PCP Convention 2010: Medicine beyond Medicine: Traversing Boundaries, Crossing Borders
The landscape of the medical profession has changed dramatically over the recent decades. While the more traditional roles of health-care provider and scientist remain, challenging roles such as steward of patient resources, community educator, and patient advocate have emerged. To be able to fulfill such roles, we as today’s Filipino physicians have to be constantly aware of ourselves and our environments, define our boundaries, limitations and comfortable spheres, and be willing to go beyond them.
As internists, our comfort zones are more often confined to our own selves and our immediate families, and our own medical practice, be it general internal medicine or any of its subspecialties. The Philippine College of Physicians, hence, challenges its members to go beyond their comfort zones and extend beyond the concerns of self, family, or private practice, and be involved in the concerns of the community, nation and beyond. While there is an increasing burden of chronic illness and complexity of medical care, there is also an astounding development in the field of information and communication technology that has blurred geographic borders, enabling us to coordinate care across various settings and health care providers. While disparities in healthcare access among various groups continue to exist, the Filipino internist is given the chance to reaffirm his own relevance by becoming part of the solution to this inequity.
The PCP also urges its members to practice medicine beyond medicine – to scrutinize the nature and effects of the patient’s illness, to understand the complexity of clinical judgments and the ethical dimensions of physician–patient, physician-physician and physician-industry encounters, and to utilize the multifaceted dimensions of health to further improve patient care.
We therefore envision the PCP 2010 Annual Convention to be a venue wherein we, as Filipino internists, may explore our own territories, examine our own follies and strengths, and rediscover our own relevance. We will be redefining ourselves and our profession – beyond our traditional roles as clinicians, beyond the biomedical definition of health, beyond geographic boundaries, all within the bounds of medical ethics, all for the improvement of our patients’ welfare. http://www.pcp.org.ph
The PSBIM 2010 Written Certifying Examinations in Internal Medicine Results
This space is reserved for the PSBIM 2010 Written Certifying Examinations in Internal Medicine Results.
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MisOr uses cell phones and the Web to enhance surgical services
[ CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY/JANUARY 13, 2010] – The provincial government of Misamis Oriental has tapped leading wireless service provider Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) to improve its health care services through the innovative use of cell phones and the Internet.
Initially, the focus of this partnership program is to help doctors of the provincial government deliver surgical services to patients in different parts of Misamis Oriental more efficiently.
Under an agreement with the provincial government, SMART will provide Internet connectivity to five hospitals in Gingoog, Talisayan, Balingasag, Manticao and Initao.
That agreement was signed Wednesday (Jan. 13) by Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno and SMART Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto.
Dubbed the mobile surgery services project, this also includes technical support and assistance, including ICT training for hospital staff and personnel who will be involved in the computerization of operations. Internet access will be provided free of charge for one year.
SMART will also supply eight 3G phones to doctors in the mobile surgery team. They will use the handsets to send data on and/or pictures of surgery patients in five provincial hospitals to an operations center in Cagayan de Oro City.
This information will help the mobile surgery team to screen patients and make the necessary preparations to ensure the efficient delivery of surgical services when they visit the different provincial hospitals.
Under its Province-wide Investment Plan for Health, Misamis Oriental has been rehabilitating the buildings and upgrading the facilities and medical personnel services of its seven provincial hospitals.
SMART’s tele-health program is part of its broad community partnership program called Kabalikat.
Under its tele-health program, SMART is also assisting the Physicians for Peace (PFP)-Philippines‘ “Walking Free Program” by providing a mobile phone-and-web application that enables volunteer doctors to assess the readiness of indigent amputees for artificial limbs even before they visit an area.
Called Amputee Screening via CEllphone NeTworking (ASCENT), the application enables PFP to provide real-time evaluation and advice on prosthesis (artificial limb) use for amputees in far-flung communities.
Medical Tourism Philippines
Situated in Southeast Asia, the picturesque and tropical Philippines offers visitors a high standard of medical treatment at very reasonable prices. The magnificent natural beauty of the many islands and beaches in the country make it a perfect place to relax before an operation and also to recover afterwards. The Philippines has been growing in popularity in recent years, particularly with American and European tourists seeking inexpensive hospital treatment.
For many years the country’s top hospitals were all located in the capital of Manila, but nowadays many new, modern hospitals have been built outside the capital including in Luzon and Davao. These hospitals are positioned close to tourist areas with stunning beaches. There is an array of medical services available including plastic surgery, organ transplants, hip and knee replacements, eye operations and dental care.
Pros: Operations such as a full set of dental implants can cost as little as US$500 dollars in the Philippines. Having medical treatment in the Philippines not only has the benefit of being inexpensive, however, but the standard of facilities is world class. Many of the new hospitals are fitted with the latest in medical technology. Private hospital rooms are similar to five-star hotel rooms, which makes the experience comfortable and stress-free. The doctors and hospital staff are renowned for being caring, skilled and possessing great English skills.
Cons: Being positioned in Southeast Asia, traveling to the Philippines from Europe or North America can be uncomfortable, with direct flights from the US taking up to 17 hours—longer with stopovers. While the tropical weather is sunny and hot—perfect for beach activities—it can sometimes make recovery from surgery uncomfortable. The country is tourist friendly and safe, but the capital of Manila can be dangerous in some areas, with muggings and pick-pocketing commonplace.
Medical Tourism in Philippines
The Philippines has long been a favorite for tropical beach holidays, but with an emerging high standard of health treatment and care and an initiative by the government, people are now seeing the country as a place to have the surgery they cannot afford at home. Many medical tour packages are now available which offer a travel and hospital service that takes care of everything from visas, airfares, accommodation, hospital costs for treatment and all transport. Medical services available include cardiology, rheumatology, cataracts surgery, knee replacements and bone marrow transplants.
Philippines Cosmetic Surgery
The Philippines has a wealth of skilled cosmetic surgeons who specialize in face lifts, rhinoplastery, abdominal tucks, liposuction and breast augmentation. Most of these operations cost a fraction of the price of those in developed counties. With many of the surgeons considered to be the best in their field, people are traveling from around the globe to have their cosmetic operations performed here.
Philippines Dental Tourism
Dental surgery in the Philippines is performed at an incredibly high standard. There are many hospitals and clinics specializing in dentistry all across the country, with several that are used to catering to medical tourists. With so many dentists and low costs of labor, dental work is particularly cheap in the Philippines. All standard procedures are available as well as more complex ones such as the fitting of dental implants and bridges.
Philippines Alternative Medicine
Alternative treatments are popular among locals in the Philippines, but the government is yet to promote this field of care to medical tourists. Medicinal plants are often used in the treatment of certain conditions, and faith healers and fringe therapies are widespread.
Philippines Health Spas
Throughout the Philippines, natural health spas and relaxation centers offering therapeutic healing of the mind, body and soul are available. Many of these centers are set in resort style grounds, near to picturesque beaches that make for a special experience at very reasonable prices compared to their western counterparts. The natural healing resorts offer alternative treatments concentrating on organic solutions. Packages that offer long stays with a detoxification process, a natural and organic diet, meditation and massages are available. After having a major operation, visiting a natural healing center that offers these services can greatly help the recovery process. Medical Tourism Philippines
CHED Released the Top 20 Nursing Schools
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has released the Top 20 Nursing Schools in the Philippines based on their performance in the past Nursing Licensure Examinations.
Top 20 Nursing Schools with 1,000 and more takers:
1. Silliman University (Dumaguete) 96.57%
2. Saint Louis University ( Baguio) 95.42%
3. Trinity University of Asia ( Quezon City) 95.06%
4. University of Santo Tomas (Manila) 95.06%
5. Cebu Doctors University ( Cebu City) 91.89%
6. Saint Paul University (Tuguegarao) 89.79%
7. Central Philippine University ( Iloilo City) 86.72%
8. De La Salle University – Health Sciences campus (Dasmariñas, Cavite) 85.26%
9. Saint Mary’s University (Nueva Vizcaya) 84.10%
10. San Pedro College ( Davao City) 83. 10%
11. Manila Doctors College ( Pasay City) 82.56%
12. Centro Escolar University-Manila ( Manila) 81.50%
13. Angeles University Foundation ( Angeles City) 76.37%
14. Mariano Marcos University (Bacnotan, La Union) 75.55%
15. University of San Agustin ( Iloilo City) 73.25%
16. University of Cebu ( Cebu City) 70.99%
17. Metropolitan Hospital College of Nursing ( Manila) 70.54%
18. Ateneo De Davao University ( Davao City) 70.20%
19. San Juan De Dios Education Foundation ( Pasay City) 69. 91%
20. University of St. La Salle ( Bacolod City) 67.55%
Top 20 Nursing Schools with 100-999 takers:
1. University of the Philippines – Manila ( Manila) 99.41%
2. Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro City) 97.82%
3. West Visayas State University ( Iloilo City) 96.75%
4. St. Paul University-Iloilo ( Iloilo City) 96.16%
5. University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center 95.80%
6. Cebu Normal University ( Cebu City) 94.64%
7. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila ( Manila) 93.14%
8. St. Paul University – Dumaguete (Dumaguete) 92.29%
9. Mindanao State University ( Marawi City) 92.15%
10. Palawan State University ( Puerto Prinsesa City) 92.05%
11. Philippine Christian University ( Manila) 91.35%
12. Velez College ( Cebu City) 90.92%
13. Colegio de Santa Lourdes of Leyte Foundation ( Tacloban City) 88. 55%
14. Chinese General Hospital College of Nursing and Liberal Arts ( Manila) 87.60%
15. St. Paul University-Manila ( Manila) 85.31%
16. Easter College ( Baguio City) 85.26%
17. Southville International School and Colleges (Las Piñas City) 84.77%
18. St.Paul University-Quezon City ( Quezon City) 83.87%
19. Adamson University ( Manila) 83.57%
20. Lyceum of the Philippines University ( Manila) 82.20%
Meanwhile, according to Emmanuel Angeles, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman, a total of 152 nursing schools were found to have performed below the national passing rate of 46.14 percent for the past five years.
These 152 nursing schools will face closure if they fail to improve their nursing programs through their graduates’ performance in the coming nursing licensure exams.
Among the 152 poor performing nursing schools are: Arellano University-Manila, Arellano University-Pasay, De Los Santos-STI College, De Ocampo Memorial College, Dominican College, Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College, Emilio Aguinaldo College, J.P. Sioson General Hospital and Colleges, La Consolacion College Manila, Las Piñas College, Martinez Memorial College, Mary Chiles College, Olivarez College, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay, Perpetual Help College of Manila, Philippine College of Health Sciences, Philippine Rehabilitation Institute Foundation, Southeast Asian College, St. Jude College, St. Rita Hospital College of Nursing and School of Midwifery, STI College-Recto, the Family Clinic, Unciano Colleges and General Hospital, University of Perpetual Help-Rizal, and World Citi Colleges, Quezon City.
Calabarzon has 23 schools in the list; Central Luzon, 20; Ilocos Region, 16; Bicol, 14; SOCCSKSARGEN, 8; Northern Mindanao, 7; Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region and Cordillera Administrative Region, 6; Cagayan Valley and Central Visayas, 5; CARAGA Region, 3; and Eastern Visayas and Mimaropa Region, 1.
152 nursing schools face closure for poor board performance
MANILA, Philippines – A total of 152 nursing schools face closure for registering poor passing percentages in the nursing licensure examinations over the past five years.
However, Emmanuel Angeles, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman, said the 152 nursing schools will be given another chance in next year’s nursing examinations.
“It’s a warning for them,” he said.
“This is a wake-up call to our nursing schools to shape up or phase out. They are challenged to improve their quality.”
The 152 nursing schools were found to have performed below the national passing rate of 46.14 percent for the past five years, Angeles said.
Metro Manila has the most number of erring schools among the 152 poor performing schools: Arellano University-Manila, Arellano University-Pasay, De Los Santos-STI College, De Ocampo Memorial College, Dominican College, Dr. Carlos S. Lanting College, Emilio Aguinaldo College, J.P. Sioson General Hospital and Colleges, La Consolacion College Manila, Las Piñas College, Martinez Memorial College, Mary Chiles College, Olivarez College, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay, Perpetual Help College of Manila, Philippine College of Health Sciences, Philippine Rehabilitation Institute Foundation, Southeast Asian College, St. Jude College, St. Rita Hospital College of Nursing and School of Midwifery, STI College-Recto, the Family Clinic, Unciano Colleges and General Hospital, University of Perpetual Help-Rizal, and World Citi Colleges, Quezon City.
Calabarzon has 23 schools in the list; Central Luzon, 20; Ilocos Region, 16; Bicol, 14; SOCCSKSARGEN, 8; Northern Mindanao, 7; Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region and Cordillera Administrative Region, 6; Cagayan Valley and Central Visayas, 5; CARAGA Region, 3; and Eastern Visayas and Mimaropa Region, 1.
Earlier, Angeles said 177 nursing schools were found to have poorly performed in the nursing licensure examinations.
“To be fair to all the schools, we had to do a lot of verification,” he said.
Angeles said any mistake might cause unnecessary worry among students and parents and harm the reputation of the schools wrongfully identified.
Among the 152 schools, nine had already stopped offering their nursing course, and five schools had stopped operation altogether, Angeles said.
Next year, CHED will enforce a rule that schools whose performance in licensure examinations is below five percent for three consecutive years would have their permits revoked and their concerned program phased out.
Angeles said CHED is determined to crack down on poorly performing schools to ensure that higher education institutions offer quality education.
“With this move, we are helping not only the parents and students to carefully choose the nursing schools they go to, but we are helping our economy by minimizing frustrations and wastage among our nursing graduates when they take the licensure exams and make sure that they only get quality education from schools that prioritize quality by adhering to world class standards that we are now imposing,” he said.
Angeles said CHED is now looking into poorly performing maritime schools.
The PRC has given them a list of 38 maritime schools that fared poorly in licensure examinations, he added.
CHED will also check maritime schools offering accounting programs, Angeles said. By Rainier Allan Ronda (The Philippine Star)