Integrated primary healthcare delivery of hypertension and diabetes services: A task analysis of nurses and doctors in Rural Philippines

Objectives@#This study aimed to describe the roles and responsibilities of doctors and nurses in managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes in rural areas.@*Methods@#This study employed a cross-sectional study design using the task analysis methodology. A self-administered questionnaire derived from a national health practice guideline was used. A combination of frequency, criticality, and performance was assessed to identify tasks that needed attention by educators and policymakers.@*Results@#Of the 142 health workers who participated in the study, 81% were nurses and 19% were doctors. The tasks most frequently performed by these professionals were taking vital signs (88.7%), recording patient history (87.3%), and advising patients on regular follow-ups (86.6%). In terms of criticality, the top three tasks were performing diagnostic tests for acute chest pain (50.8%), diagnosing neurological disorders (49.2%), and referring patients for specialized tests at other facilities (43.6%). However, the tasks perceived as most challenging or outside their capability were the Fagerstorm test for assessing nicotine dependence (57.5%), the AUDIT tool for identifying binge drinkers (55.5%), and fundoscopy for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy (54%).@*Conclusion@#The primary care practice of the participants typically involved tasks that are centered on health promotion or disease prevention. Many of the tasks are shared by doctors and nurses, with some highly critical tasks performed less frequently due to a lack of training. Pre-service courses may need to be revised to ensure that health professionals have the required skills to carry out shared tasks.

Coping and well-being of school-aged children in a quarantined environment during the COVID- 19 pandemic

BACKGROUND@#School-aged children bear a lot of difficulties and discomforts brought about by the new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic.@*OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to examine the general well-being of children during the pandemic, how the children are coping with all the challenges, and parents' strategies to help their children cope@*METHODOLOGY@#This study utilized a descriptive correlational research design with purposive sampling. Data was collected through an online survey. The standardized Kidcope-Child version was utilized to measure children's coping, while the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)™ 4.0 Short Form 15 Generic Core Scales was utilized to measure the children's well-being.@*RESULTS@#A total of 134 parents participated in the study. No significant relationship was found between the age, sex, and coping strategies of the children, as well as between the age and well-being of children. Male children experienced more difficulty in physical functioning (p-value= 0.028), social functioning (p-value= 0.017), and overall well-being (p-value= 0.031) compared to female children. The computed mean for parents' helping strategies was between 2.67 to 2.78, which lies between the categories of sometimes (2) to always (3).@*CONCLUSION@#School-aged children were found to be using more positive coping strategies than negative coping strategies during the pandemic. They have “sometimes” to “almost no” experience of difficulty in terms of the five functions of well-being. Parents used the six fundamental tasks of parenting to help their children cope.