Capacity needs assessment of primary health care providers in selected municipalities in Cavite

PURPOSE@#Primary Health Care (PHC) refers to essential health care that is made accessible, acceptable and affordable to individuals and families in the community. As such, it is imperative for PHC providers to possess the necessary competencies responsive to the current health care demands. This study aims to determine the current capacity of PHC providers and their need for capability building.@*METHODS@#The study employed a quantitative descriptive design with 87 purposively-selected PHC providers and five administrators from selected rural municipalities in Cavite. It is adapted from the study, “Capacity-building of primary healthcare providers in 10+3 Southeast and East Asian Nursing Education and Research Network (SEANERN) countries”.@*RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS@#The perceived level of knowledge of the PHC providers on the elements of PHC were all rated to be proficient. Maternal and child care received the highest score, while health education received the lowest score. The perceived level of skills of the PHC providers was also rated to be proficient. Sanitation and water received the highest score, while treatment of common diseases and injuries received the lowest score. Similar to the perceived levels of knowledge and skills, the perceived level of attitudes of the PHC providers were also proficient, with environmental sanitation having the highest score but treatment of common diseases and injuries having the lowest score. However, from the perspective of health administrators, they rated the PHC providers one level lower or needs minimal support. Training and capacity building in all elements of PHC was identified as the most needed by the PHC providers. Their most preferred method of training is workshop.@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are high perceived levels of knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the PHC providers in the elements of PHC. Despite the high scores, objective outcomes such as the MMR and immunization coverage do not reflect the proficient scores of the PHC providers. There are also other health conditions and issues such as noncommunicable diseases and injuries that need to be addressed using PHC approach. Given this, it is vital that appropriate training and adequate hiring of PHC providers be reinforced nationwide in order to meet the health goals and needs of the country.

Normalizing advanced practice in public health nursing in The Philippines: A foucauldian analysis

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">This study provides a closer look to the possibility of having advanced practice in public health nursing by analyzing the power relations between nursing practice and social structures. Representatives from the public health sector, national authorities, and the private sector were invited in a round table discussion. Transcriptions were coded and later on categorized and analyzed drawing upon the concepts of Foucault. Foucauldian analysis hands an important insight on how social structures and institutions can steer the creation of an advanced practice in public health nursing in the Philippines. Various social institutions view the relevance of a master's prepared nurse according to their societal roles and functions. Requisite competencies of a master's prepared nurse in public health nursing include fulfilling the role of a clinician, leader and manager, supervisor, and a researcher. PRBON, CHED, DOH, and nursing schools need to work together to define the knowledge of an advanced practice in public health nursing, to implement appropriate surveillance mechanisms, and to establish a compliant practice.</p>

Work environment of nurses in the Philippines: A preliminary study

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">Work environment has been described as an important factor in the job satisfaction of nurses and their quality of service provided. However, little is known of the present work environment of Filipino nurses in the country. This study used a cross-sectional design to describe work environment variables affecting Filipino nurses; determine the degree of nurses' job satisfaction;, and determine their intention to remain in their present work environment. A self-administered survey was developed by the study team and was distributed during the PNA national conference   through the Chapter Presidents. This   study discovered   that the lowest positive responses were in the Physiologic  and  Safety  Needs  but  despite  this  result,  nurses  reported  high  job satisfaction and intend to remain in their present work environment.</p>