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In this paper, we report on the professional development of genetic counselors in the Philippines as we discuss the status of genetic counseling training and research, along with the roles and scope of practice of genetic counselors. The development of a master's level training program for non‐physician genetic counselors in the Philippines initiated in 2011 was in response to the increasing demand for genetic counseling services. There are currently 18 locally trained genetic counselors who are practicing in various fields including newborn screening, pediatrics, cancer, prenatal and preconception, neurology, and research. Despite the success of the genetic counseling training program, various professional challenges hinder maximizing the impact of genetic counselors in the health system. The challenges discussed in this paper include the limited number of genetic counselors, the lack of government positions officially recognizing the 'genetic counselor' title, and the absence of a regulatory framework. These issues require thorough discussion with appropriate government agencies and collaboration with other healthcare professional organizations with the ultimate goal of ensuring quality genetic counseling services nationwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of professional midwives in the Philippines work in public health, particularly in rural areas. In this paper, we sought to investigate and gain insights into midwives' motivations, experiences, and aspirations while working and providing client-centered care in rural areas of the Cordillera Administrative Region, one of the administrative regions in the Philippines. This study utilized a qualitative descriptive study design through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured topic guide to collect data from September-October 2021. Participants were selected based on their at least three-year work experience, current roles as midwives in public rural health settings, and willingness to participate. Phone calls were used for interviews due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed through content analysis. Developed themes were confirmed and validated by the study participants. A total of seven rural professional midwives participated in this study. Three main themes emerged from the data analysis - including the process of embracing the midwifery profession, rewarding yet challenging work experiences, and aspiration for competence and better work status. This study is the first of its kind done in the country and, as such, has provided new insights and findings regarding the midwifery profession in the Philippines. Despite facing challenges in providing healthcare in the rural setting, rural midwives find their profession to be a fulfilling and gratifying work experience. They strive for greater competence and improved work status and are dedicated to serving rural areas to the best of their abilities. Enabling midwives in rural communities with support and avenues for professional growth will enhance the provision of healthcare services in geographically challenged regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy is a critical period in every woman's life. The health of both the mother and her unborn child is at stake, with poor access to needed prenatal care services. Obtaining prenatal care is affected by the pregnancy literacy of the expectant mother. However, the assessment tool for health literacy among Filipino pregnant women is limited. This paper aimed to examine existing maternal health literacy instruments. Hopefully, an adopted tool can be found for assessing prenatal health literacy. After examining existing maternal health literacy tools, 18 questions were suggested that can be further modified before they are used for Filipino pregnant women to assess their prenatal health literacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) measurement obtained from FibroScan® is a low-risk method of assessing fatty liver. This study investigated the association between the FibroScan® CAP values and nine anthropometric indicators, including the abdominal volume index (AVI), body fat percentage (BFP), body mass index (BMI), conicity index (CI), ponderal index (PI), relative fat mass (RFM), waist circumference (WC), waist–hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (fatty liver). We analyzed the medical records of adult patients who had FibroScan® CAP results. CAP values <238 dB/m were coded as 0 (non- fatty liver) and ≥238 dB/m as 1 (fatty liver). An individual is considered to have class 1 obesity when their body mass index (BMI) ranges from 30 kg/m2 to 34.9 kg/m2. Class 2 obesity is defined by a BMI ranging from 35 kg/m2 to 39.9 kg/m2, while class 3 obesity is designated by a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or higher. Out of 1763 subjects, 908 (51.5%) had fatty liver. The BMI, WHtR, and PI were found to be more strongly correlated with the CAP by the cluster dendrogram with correlation coefficients of 0.58, 0.54, and 0.54, respectively (all p < 0.0001). We found that 28.3% of the individuals without obesity had fatty liver, and 28.2% of the individuals with obesity did not have fatty liver. The BMI, CI, and PI were significant predictors of fatty liver. The BMI, PI, and WHtR demonstrated better predictive ability, indicated by AUC values of 0.72, 0.68, and 0.68, respectively, a finding that was echoed in our cluster group analysis that showed interconnected clustering with the CAP. Therefore, of the nine anthropometric indicators we studied, the BMI, CI, PI, and WHtR were found to be more effective in predicting the CAP score, i.e., fatty liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippines has an increasingly aging population thereby increasing the demand for healthcare and support from families. Studies showed that the family is the main caregiver of elderly parents/adults as dictated by the Filipino culture of filial piety and respectful behavior towards older people. However, this caring culture is now slowly declining, and Filipino older adults also experience abuse, exploitation, and other forms of neglect from their families. This special article described that the declining caring culture was due to deteriorating family values and societal influences brought about by modernization. This paper also highlights the crucial role of the family and the community in inculcating the preservation of this valued caring Filipino culture, especially among the youth. In cases where senior citizens are being abused and neglected by their families, the state steps in to safeguard the welfare and protection of Filipino senior citizens. Enacted and promulgated laws ensure social justice and protection of human dignity among Filipino older adults as well as the provision of socioeconomic and health needs. In conclusion, the preservation of a caring culture through educating the youth coupled with the implementation of enacted and promulgated laws of the country ensures the quality of aging life among Filipino older adults., Competing Interests: All authors declared no conflicts of interest. The views and opinions expressed by the authors in this paper do not necessarily reflect the stance of any of the institutions to which they are affiliated., (© 2024 Acta Medica Philippina.)

Background and Objective: Professionals in the Philippines must finish compulsory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units before renewing their registration ID card with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). CPD has always been significant in the field of nursing. It supports nurses and other healthcare professionals, and keeps them informed about their professional development so they may provide the best care possible for patients. This study sought to engage how nurses in Bontoc, Mountain Province would benefit in continuing professional development in terms of their professional growth, increase in income, network building, and improvement of personal capabilities., Methods: This study used a quantitative descriptive study design using simple random probability sampling method. Descriptive analysis was used to characterize study participants. A modified validated survey tool was used to collect data on the nurses' perceived CPD benefits. Data collection was done among 101 nurses employed in Bontoc General Hospital, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, Bontoc Municipal Health Office, the Department of Education (DepEd) at Bontoc, from January to February 2022 through paper and pencil method. Nurses who did not consent to participate were excluded from the study. The UNP Ethics Review Committee reviewed the protocol and did not find any ethical inappropriateness with number 22-039. An F-test and a t-test were also conducted to determine the mean differences in perceived CPD benefits according to participants' demographic characteristics. All these statistical analysis steps were performed using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20., Results: The majority of the 101 respondents were between the ages of 30 and 39, and had 1 to 5 years of service. The overall mean of perceived CPD benefits was very high (3.40-3.58 mean rating), with career development having the highest mean rating at 3.58. This only implies that the respondents had a positive perception of CPD engagement, particularly with the favorable impact on their career development. T-test and F-test (ANOVA) were both pivotal in reaching the objectives of this study. Across the demographic characteristics of the respondents such as age, civil status, sex, highest educational attainment, length of service CPD units earned, and membership to organization, there was no significant difference found in the level of perceived benefits of engaging in continuing professional development across demographic characteristics. Each demographic factors gained a p-value greater than 0.05. Statistically, a p-value greater than 5% level of significance would result to failing to reject the null hypothesis., Conclusion: Given the foregoing results, the number of credit units obtained can be used to forecast how CPD will help nurses grow in their careers. To reap significant advantages and increases in career mobility and income, as well as, to some extent, the development of professional networks and personal capacities, nurses should take advantage of expanding best practice involvement and pertinent CPD engagements. It has been discovered that CPD resources, activities, and programs have an impact on professional development. It is recommended that there be support from both the government and employers to promote CPD for nurses throughout their entire nursing careers. Earning CPD units can help nurses build their confidence and elevate their status in the workplace, increasing their chances of getting promoted., Competing Interests: Both authors declared no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 Acta Medica Philippina.)

Background: Midwives have been frontline health professionals at the grassroots level, especially in rural communities. Their role was expanded from maternal and child healthcare providers to primary healthcare services providers. Despite their expanded functions, there have been limited studies investigating the professional practice of midwifery in the Philippines in a rural setting., Objective: This study aimed to investigate the professional practice of midwives in selected rural areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines., Methods: This research is a qualitative pilot study using a semi-structured interview guide to collect the data. Key informant interviews were conducted through mobile phone calls convenient for the participants from September to October 2021. Data were analyzed through qualitative content analysis., Results: A total of seven rural health midwives participated in this study. From the data analysis, six themes emerged related to the professional functions of rural Filipino midwives: 1) antenatal and postnatal care, 2) basic emergency obstetrical and newborn care, 3) health education and counseling, 4) treating common children and adult infections, 5) health promotion, and 6) beyond midwifery role., Conclusion: Rural midwives play a role in providing several primary healthcare services mandated by the government and the profession. They also offer health services beyond their scope as midwives because of geographical difficulties and logistic issues. The findings inform the policymaker to review and amend the expanded roles of practicing midwives so that they will be empowered in providing quality and legal healthcare services. The study results will also be important in preparing midwives for rural midwifery practice., Competing Interests: All authors declared that they have no conflicts of interest., (© 2023 Acta Medica Philippina.)