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Toward Universal Health in the Philippines – Health Workforce Development in Evidence Synthesis

November 28, 2024 | 12:01 pm

JBI’s First Intensive Workshop for DLSMHSI-UST Australia Awards Fellowship

By: Diana Dalisay A. Orolfo, RPh, MPH | Dr. Mariano Que College of Pharmacy

Australia Awards Fellows from the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI) and the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Image Courtesy of The University of Adelaide

As part of the Australia Awards Fellowship Round 19, the first three-day systematic reviews training conducted by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) trainers was held from October 8 to 10, 2024, at Discovery Primea Hotel, Makati.

This one-year fellowship aims to leverage Australian education and training to enhance the use of research evidence in health policy and practice in the Philippines. It will address knowledge and skill gaps in developing, conducting, and reporting high-quality systematic reviews to inform clinical decision-making, guideline development, and health technology assessment for universal healthcare. Building on previous collaborations with the University of Adelaide, the fellowship will foster a network to promote evidence-based practice in the country.

A total of 13 fellows participated in the workshop, including three fellows from the Center for Health Research and Movement Science, University of Santo Tomas (UST), and ten fellows from De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute. The following are the fellows from the DLSMHSI:

  1. Prof. Celso P. Pagatpatan, Jr. (College of Medicine)
  2. Prof. Alely S. Reyes (College of Nursing)
  3. Prof. Margel C. Bonifacio (College of Arts and Sciences)
  4. Assoc. Prof. Diana Dalisay A. Orolfo (Dr. Mariano Que College of Pharmacy)
  5. Assoc. Prof. Madelyn A. Gabrieles (College of Rehabilitation Sciences)
  6. Assoc. Prof. Kerwyn Jim C. Chan (College of Rehabilitation Sciences)
  7. Asst. Prof. Michael Justin S. Valles (College of Nursing)
  8. Dr. Jeriel R. De Silos (College of Medicine)
  9. Dr. Fredyrose Ivan L. Pinar (Special Health Sciences – Senior High School)
  10. Ms. Zipporah Dery-Cruz (Romeo P. Ariniego, MD, FSC Library)

On October 9, 2024, a guest lecture and networking reception was held with the theme “National Health Priorities and Universal Health Care: The Role of Evidence Syntheses,” attended by key stakeholders from government, academia, and professional organizations. Dr. Lester M. Tan of the Department of Health (DOH) discussed National Health Priorities, while Dr. Ruth Divine Agustin covered the role of Evidence Synthesis in Clinical Practice Guidelines. Dr. Celso P. Pagatpatan, Jr. and Bianca Pilla from JBI provided overviews of the Fellowship Program and preparations for the next workshop in Australia, where fellows will complete a systematic review for presentation in 2025.

Dr. Susan Olavidez, Vice Chancellor for Research, emphasized DLSMHSI’s commitment to becoming the preferred research institution in the region. This program underscores its dedication to advancing healthcare through research, international collaboration, and evidence-based practices—truly aligning with its mission of nurturing life through innovative and impactful research, practice, and education.