Formative evaluation of the implementation of eHealth in the Philippines: A qualitative study

@#<strong>BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE</strong><p style="text-align: justify;" data-mce-style="text-align: justify;">The utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) to support health, known as eHealth, is a crucial enabler of universal healthcare. It is important to identify various aspects that could support or hinder eHealth, especially in limited-resource settings. This study determined the factors influencing the implementation of eHealth solutions in the Philippines, in consideration of the development process and initial outputs of the Philippine eHealth Strategic Framework and Plan 2014-2020.</p><strong>METHODS</strong><p style="text-align: justify;" data-mce-style="text-align: justify;">The descriptive-qualitative study was conducted among 15 municipalities/cities in the Philippines, recognized as early adopters of eHealth programs. Records review of eHealth solutions and key informant interviews among stakeholders (i.e., physicians and nurses) per study site were facilitated to gather data. Using directed content analysis, contextual, process, and content factors influencing eHealth implementation in the country were synthesized.</p><strong>RESULTS</strong><p style="text-align: justify;" data-mce-style="text-align: justify;">Results showed a range of eHealth solutions in the selected facilities, majority of which involved electronic medical records. Various contextual, process, and content-related factors could serve as facilitators or barriers to eHealth implementation in the country. Particularly, contextual factors include individual characteristics (ICT experience/training, organizational commitment, readiness for change), perceived need/urgency for eHealth (provisions, policies, regulatory issues), and third-party involvement for financial/technical support. Meanwhile, process-related factors involve implementation team practices, appropriate top-down and bottom-up approaches in leader/member engagement, and resource management (ICT equipment, stable internet connection, power supply). Content-specific factors mainly include the eHealth design (complexity, adaptability to local context and service demands, interoperability or the capacity to connect or exchange information with other platforms/systems). Notably, limitations across the three dimensions could make eHealth implementation more complicated, which could lead to poor time management and resource wastage.</p><strong>CONCLUSION</strong><p style="text-align: justify;" data-mce-style="text-align: justify;">This study highlighted the importance of a multidimensional understanding of factors that influence the utility of eHealth in the health system. There is a need for leadership and governance, stakeholder engagement, resource and funding, implementation readiness, appropriate design of eHealth solutions, and proper training to ensure the successful implementation of eHealth in the country.</p>

Developing capacities of professional nurses on disaster risk reduction and management in the Philippine Nurses Association

@#In the years 2010-2015, the Philippines experienced a number of disasters, both natural and man-made, that killed around 1,400 and affected more than 68M people. These recent disasters highlight the need for all health workers, especially nurses to be prepared to respond to possible consequences of all types of hazards interacting with communities. Nurses who are at the forefront of health care services are counted upon to plan for and respond to emergencies and provide substantial care to individuals, families and communities. However, there is a need to review the competencies that nurses should have in emergency and disaster management to be able to carry out these roles and functions. This study describes the development of a training program, which aims to build capacity of nurses to participate actively in emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts of hospitals and communities. Participants included nurses from hospitals and the community, and volunteer nurses. Their knowledge and skills related to disaster management were measured before and after the training. Their involvement in disaster management months after the training were recorded to demonstrate the impact of training on their professional development and in helping communities during or after a disaster. This study demonstrates how continuing education helps professionals become significant in addressing the needs of the general public and in contributing to social development.

Facing up to the challenge of Typhoon Yolanda: The Philippine Nurses Association experience

@#Considered as one of the deadliest tropical cyclones to Chave hit the country and the strongest typhoon recorded at landfall, Typhoon Yolanda (internationally known as Haiyan) swept across the Visayan region, leaving behind a devastation that mobilized national and international humanitarian efforts on a grand scale. In response to the growing global awareness for the need for disaster preparedness, the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), through its Disaster Preparedness Committee, has been training members from different local chapters on emergency and disaster management for 1 the past four years . The training seminar aimed to capacitate the participants and, eventually through them, their respective chapter members in preparing for and managing disaster events in coordination with government agencies and international humanitarian relief efforts. The PNA Board of Governors has also approved its Emergency Response Plan and Policy outlining the communication and coordination mechanism in times of emergency and disaster. Networking and linkage with the Department of Health - Health Emergency and Management Staff has also been formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding making PNA a member of the Health cluster, Mental Health and Psychological Support Services (MHPSS) cluster and Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) cluster. When super typhoon Yolanda made its landfall and left devastation behind its path across the country, the capacity for response of the local and national government has been truly tested. PNA for its small part has also been challenged to review its preparedness efforts in terms of capacity building, policy and advocacy, as well as networking and coordination.