The Department of Anatomy in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine: Dissecting the history

@#The history of the Department of Anatomy of the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines can be chronicled from its humble beginnings in 1907 to its continued existence through the COVID-19 pandemic. This article briefly describes its historical development, current undertakings, and future directions in relation to its mission and vision.

A comparative study of Thiel soft-embalmed and formalin preserved cadavers for anatomy dissection

@#<p><strong>Background and Objective:</strong> Cadavers are the main teaching and learning tools utilized by faculty and students of Gross Anatomy. The conventional procedure of using formalin to preserve cadavers has its limited benefit due to its obnoxious odor, darkened color, indistinguishable small structures, rigid joints, with friable organs and tissues. Using the Thiel Method, cadavers are known to have: life-like presentation, a high degree of suppleness, natural mobilization of various body parts with tolerable odor, natural color, and antimicrobial and antifungal efficacy. The aim of this study was to compare the Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver and the formalin-preserved cadaver for use in Gross Anatomy dissection.</p><p><strong>Materials and Method:</strong> Six formalin-preserved cadavers were compared with six Thiel soft-embalmed ones and were evaluated by 160 first year medical students and 10 faculty members of Gross Anatomy from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine using a visual analogue scale that evaluated the cadaver's presenting color. A Likert scale was utilized to assess the skin and muscle texture, blood vessel integrity, odor, joint flexibility, and state of cadaver preservation. Their perceptions on the ease of the dissection process, distensibility, and differentiation of structures were also elicited through a questionnaire checklist.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Results show that the Thiel Method-preserved cadavers were rated higher compared to the formalinpreserved cadavers in terms of: 1) presenting color; 2) tolerable odor; 3) skin and muscle texture; 4) blood vessel integrity; 5) joint flexibility; and 6) state of cadaver preservation after 1 year. However, the ease of the dissection process, the distensibility of structures, and the differentiation of the various structures were easily managed in the formalin-preserved cadavers while the feasibility of practicing laparoscopy, endoscopy, and intubation were seen in the Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers. Results validate the claims of previous studies on the advantages presented in using the Thiel Method.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Cadavers preserved utilizing the Thiel Method are life-like and can be used for Gross Anatomy dissection. The data gathered support the feasibility of using them also in research and training.</p>

Job profile and description of the administrative staff and research, extension and professional staff (REPS) in a college in a national university

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVES:</strong>This study aims to determine demographics, job suitability, job satisfaction and perception among the administrative staff and research, extension and professional staff (REPS) of the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong>This is a descriptive study. A questionnaire was developed and administered to 71 administrative employees and Research, Extension and Professional Staff (REPS) to assess job profile, actual duties and responsibilities of the official job position/title during a period of five years from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong>There are 71 employees of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM), 61 administrative staff and 10 REPS. A majority (62%) have been with the UPCM for more than 15 years. Sixty-two employees had complete information and among these, 45 (72.6%) were hired for jobs related to their educational backgrounds. All employees underwent some form of training as part of staff development (2.56 courses/employee/year) and the staff recognized that these courses enhanced their ability to do their jobs (95.3%). However, the staff also feel that they attend many other courses (66.4% of courses attended) that are not directly related to their jobs, with only 33.6% of these courses having any bearing on the performance of their specific jobs. Survey results showed that job satisfaction and perception of the value of their work is generally high. However, sources of dissatisfaction include being assigned tasks by people other than their immediate supervisor, not enough time to do their jobs and duties assigned that are not within their job description.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong>Most employees of the UPCM have a high level of satisfaction with their jobs. Cited factors for this include job is essential to the organization as a whole. Some areas are seen to be sources of dissatisfaction. These include mismatch between training and actual duties, work assigned by people other than their supervisors, too little time allotted for the work assigned, and tasks expected of them that are not within their job descriptions.</p>

Surgical simulation of endoscopic sinus surgery using Thiel soft-embalmed human cadaver

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This study describes the quality of Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers as training model for endoscopic sinus surgery in terms of color and consistency of the tissues and similarity of performing the surgical steps to live surgery.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Six Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers from the University of the Philippines, College of Medicine, Department of Anatomy were used as training models. The Thiel-preserved cadavers utilized the soft embalming protocol being employed at the Virginia State Anatomical Program in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Ten otorhinolaryngologists were recruited to evaluate the cadavers using a questionnaire with three parts. The first two parts utilize a 10-point Likert scale with 1 as the least similar to live patient while 10 as simulating the live patient. The third part is an open-ended question regarding the suitability of Thiel soft-embalmed cadavers in the training for endoscopic sinus surgery.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Endoscopic sinus surgery was successfully performed in all cadavers. The Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver closely replicates the color and consistency of the anatomic structures important in endoscopic sinus surgery. All the surgical steps were performed with ease simulating live surgery.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Thiel soft-embalmed cadaver is a suitable model for training in endoscopic sinus surgery.</p>

Job profile and description of the administrative staff and research, extension and professional staff (REPS) in a college in a national university

OBJECTIVES:This study aims to determine demographics, job suitability, job satisfaction and perception among the administrative staff and research, extension and professional staff (REPS) of the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine.METHODS:This is a descriptive study. A questionnaire was developed and administered to 71 administrative employees and Research, Extension and Professional Staff (REPS) to assess job profile, actual duties and responsibilities of the official job position/title during a period of five years from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014.RESULTS:There are 71 employees of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM), 61 administrative staff and 10 REPS. A majority (62%) have been with the UPCM for more than 15 years. Sixty-two employees had complete information and among these, 45 (72.6%) were hired for jobs related to their educational backgrounds. All employees underwent some form of training as part of staff development (2.56 courses/employee/year) and the staff recognized that these courses enhanced their ability to do their jobs (95.3%). However, the staff also feel that they attend many other courses (66.4% of courses attended) that are not directly related to their jobs, with only 33.6% of these courses having any bearing on the performance of their specific jobs. Survey results showed that job satisfaction and perception of the value of their work is generally high. However, sources of dissatisfaction include being assigned tasks by people other than their immediate supervisor, not enough time to do their jobs and duties assigned that are not within their job description.CONCLUSION:Most employees of the UPCM have a high level of satisfaction with their jobs. Cited factors for this include job is essential to the organization as a whole. Some areas are seen to be sources of dissatisfaction. These include mismatch between training and actual duties, work assigned by people other than their supervisors, too little time allotted for the work assigned, and tasks expected of them that are not within their job descriptions.