Objective: This study aimed to describe mental health practice patterns, perceptions, perceived responsibility, confidence, barriers, and supports of pediatric residents in a tertiary government hospital to arrive at recommendations in enhancing their mental health competencies. Methodology: As part of needs and baseline assessment within an existing collaboration, written self-administered questionnaires were distributed among pediatric residents of the hospital. Frequency of answers were tallied to see clustering and trends. RESULTS: Most of the 37 Pediatric residents had positive perceptions i.e. 78.83% - 83.78% and planned to incorporate all aspects mental healthcare in their future practice as consultants i.e. 89.19 %- 97.29 %. However, they did not get to practice or apply it as much during training. All respondents perceived that diagnosing the neurodevelopmental disorders of Autism Spectrum, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity, Intellectual Disability and Learning was their responsibility. When it came to confidence in diagnosing other psychiatric disorders less than half to 3/5 (45.9%- 64/9%) were confident or very confident in doing so. Approximately three fifths (56.75% -67.56%) of them were confident in managing neurodevelopmental disorders. There was an even lower proportion i.e. one fourth (16.21% - 32.43%) of pediatric residents who were confident in managing other psychiatric disorders. Time was the most often perceived barrier while more exposure and training were the supportive factors for integrating mental healthcare into practice. Conclusion With such positive perceptions already in place, programs to improve knowledge and skills can be developed to increase confidence, focusing on diagnosing and managing psychiatric conditions. Target areas as guided by this research can be on how to use screening tools and psychotropics, diagnosing anxiety and behavioral addictions, and managing psychosis and trauma. These should be incorporated in a time-efficient manner into usual patient interviews. Training and added exposure can be utilized in the short-term as well as institutionalization of collaboration, liaison, and feedback systems in the future.
Mental Health

BACKGROUND: Locally, understanding and communicating sensory neuropathy may be confounded by a "comprehension gap" during consults and limited "nerve literacy" or knowledge of patients about nerves. This may affect the effectiveness of healthcare.
OBJECTIVE: The study aims to describe the Filipino patients' experience of sensory neuropathy in local terms and their understanding of its causation.
METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study among 24 patients with sensory neuropathy was done using semi-structured individual interviews. The first part elicited Filipino terms and descriptions used to explain their experience. The second part elicited perceived cause pre- and post- consult and perceived body part affected.
RESULTS: The most common descriptors of sensory neuropathy include "manhid", "kuryente", "tinutusuk-tusok", "ngalay", "kirot", and "naninigas". Many would initially identify "pasma" as a cause. Post-consult, many would cease to see it as part of natural ageing and would identify structural explanations such as impingement. They would however attribute it to an affectation of "ugat" which most defined as blood vessels.
CONCLUSION: The abovementioned terms are commonly used to describe sensory neuropathy and can be clinically useful in eliciting symptoms. There is existing confusion with regards to the nerve as a structure involved even after consultation.

Background: The benefits of infant massage in hospital and community settings have been documented in literature: better weight gain of preterm and low birthweight infants, shortened hospital stay, slightly better scores on developmental tests, fewer postnatal complications, and effects on physical and mental health. Objectives: This study described the perceptions and experiences of infant massage among caregivers of infants 2-6 months old consulting in two public health centers in Quezon City before and after infant massage training. Methods: This qualitative study assessed perceptions and experiences at baseline and after infant massage training of mothers and caregivers taking care of infants 2-6 months old. Pre-training interviews were conducted, as well as immediately after, and seven days after training on infant massage delivered by the Philippine League of Government and Private Midwives, Inc. (PLGPMI). Training consisted of lectures and demonstrations, after which mothers/caregivers gave their babies the massage under the trainer's supervision. Post-training interviews were conducted immediately after the training and seven days after. Responses to the interviews were transcribed. The transcripts and interview notes were analyzed independently by two research team members. Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) was done. Disagreements were settled by discussion. Results: The infant’s mother was identified as the best person to perform infant massage. Infant massage was a new concept to many participants before the training. In general, the perception was positive. It was believed to promote the baby's physical development and bonding with the mother/caregiver. These same benefits were reported after the training. Post-training, all 11 participants who returned for follow-up interviews reported having massaged their babies at home. They were also able to describe the process and timing of massage as taught to them. The participants’ responses centered on seven (7) identified themes, identified at baseline and after training: 1) general concepts of infant massage, 2) benefits of infant massage, 3) methodologies, materials, and considerations, 4) persons credible to perform infant massage, 5) application/performance of infant massage, 6) intentions and 7) infant massage as a public health measure. Conclusion There was a positive perception of infant massage among mothers and caregivers of infants 2-6 months old, whether or not they had prior knowledge. The sharing of information and the training given enhanced this. Participants showed good reception and retention of infant massage's basic concepts and process and improved their confidence in handling their babies and massaging them.
Mother-Child Relations ; Caregivers ; Health Education ; Community Health Centers