Discoursing terminology standards and interoperability in relation to the Philippine eHealth Strategy

Background@#eHealth is the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for health. It helps in improving the flow of information, through electronic means, in support of the delivery of health services, and the management of health systems. eHealth is used as the strategic context and tool in achieving population health, improved health system status, and socio-economic development goals. @*Objectives@#This study is aimed at looking at the Philippine National eHealth Strategy, particularly the components of Terminology Standards and Interoperability concerning the eHealth strategy in the Philippines, and to assess the barriers and gaps in the integration of these two components. @*Methods@#This study used secondary literature, internet search, Philippine laws, administrative orders, memorandum circulars, and grey literature to discourse terminology standards and interoperability in the Philippine eHealth system, and issues and gaps related to these components that may impede the delivery of Universal Health Coverage in the country. @*Results@#The current Philippine National eHealth strategy includes the following sector governance, legislation, policy and compliance, eHealth solution (i.e., services and applications), strategy and investment, infrastructure (government), human resources, and standards and interoperability. Philippine Health Information Exchange (PHIE) is a software platform in the country that aims to connect many isolated electronic health systems. The proposed interoperability layer across health systems and services in the Philippines includes Patient’s Primary Healthcare Consultation at the Rural Health Unit, health research, legal information, patient healthcare at tertiary hospital, and health insurance claims. The study results showed that issues and gaps related to the interoperability of eHealth in the Philippines include technical issues such as lack of common semantics, lack of an institutional mechanism to regulate EMR, lack of incentives among eHealth providers and stakeholders to adopt standards for interoperability.@*Conclusion@#The effort of the Philippines to achieve interoperability and standards in eHealth goals can be characterized as a work in progress. The government, private sector, physician, patient, and other stakeholders are deemed to continuously develop a shared vision and interoperate under a standardized guide as eHealth is a complex endeavor that covers many aspects.

Diagnosis and management of childhood tuberculosis in public health clinics in a rural area in the Philippines: Results from a community surveillance

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Childhood tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant health problem worldwide despite the increase in its emphasis on national health programs.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This study aimed to describe how TB in children is identified and managed in a routine TB program in a rural setting in a high-burden country.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> This is a prospective, community-based surveillance study in public rural clinics in the Philippines. Observations on case finding and management of TB in children as well as contact tracing in an existing TB program are described.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Out of 266 children with presumptive TB, 41 (15.4%) were cases of TB, 15 (5.6%) had latent TB infection (LTBI), 81 (30.5%) had TB exposure, and 129 (48.5%) had no TB. There were 37 (90%) TB cases who were clinically diagnosed. Ninety-three percent (93%) of children with TB disease were cured or completed treatment. Among 25 children targeted for isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) for LTBI and TB exposure, only 12 (52%) completed the recommended 6 months of IPT. Only 40 (43%) children aged 0 to 4 years exposed to smear-positive TB cases were screened.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Barriers in the diagnosis, low IPT completion, and problems in contact tracing may hinder the successful implementation of TB programs for children.</p>