Introduction: Access to appropriate and timely care underpins the Republic Act 9707 or the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009. However, less than 10% of babies born every year have been screened for hearing loss. The Hearing for Life (HeLe) research program aims to increase the rate of newborn hearing screening (NHS) nationwide through the development and deployment of novel digital health or eHealth technologies in government rural primary care health centers (PCHC). The HeLe is also built on the global call for increased and systematic use of eHealth to strengthen health systems. Effectiveness of eHealth innovations requires acknowledgment of the product’s life cycle; one consideration is organizational readiness at this development stage of the HeLe. Objective: This study assessed readiness of the eight PCHC selected to use the HeLe technologies. Methods: This research utilized the Khoja-Durrani-Scott (KDS) eHealth evaluation tool to assess the PCHC’s readiness level prior to the implementation of HeLe. The KDS tool was distributed through a self-administered survey; data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Readiness is measured in terms of seven dimensions or outcomes resulting from the use of the HeLe technologies. Results: The study revealed that the eight PCHC were most to least ready, in decreasing order, in the following areas: Ethical, Health, Technology, Social & Cultural, Readiness & Change Management, as well as Economic, and Policy outcomes. The study affirms the PCHCs’ value for equity in health care, i.e., providing accessible NHS services in the community setting closest to where the families and their newborns are. Likewise, results confirm the PCHC staff’s preparedness for another set of innovations, through agreement with statements on Technology, Social & Cultural as well as Readiness & Change Management parameters. Conclusions The results informed the training and technical support strategies to be implemented by the HeLe program proponents. However, even in this early development phase of the HeLe technologies, the PCHC are already concerned with how to sustain NHS services after the research. Fully aware that the HeLe ICT tools need to be maintained and upgraded, the PCHC views that economic and policy support should also be in place to ensure continuous delivery of the ICT-enabled NHS services. While results are illustrative, usefulness is limited by the small sample size and character of the study sites. Nevertheless, social dimensions still have to be carefully considered as innovative NHS tools are introduced to primary care health workers nationwide. Researchers have to be deliberate in working with broader health systems and policy advocacy efforts to allow novel NHS technologies to be smoothly introduced at the community level and frontlines of care.
Telemedicine ; Health ; Technology ; Change Management ; Policy ; Ethics ; Primary Health Care

Objective: Mortality data is a critical input to public health decision-making and planning. Yet, about 36% of underlying causes of death reported by physicians in 2018 are considered garbage codes, not useful in analyzing public health and mortality (PSA, 2018). We used the PRECEDE-PROCEED approach to develop, implement, and report an advocacy and education Project to improve training on medical certification of cause of death (MCCOD) among senior medical students and interns. Methods: An MCCOD Instructional Design and eLearning course was introduced and validated in 33 medical education institutions. Lessons enhanced these education materials and are proposed for nationwide adoption. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Project fast-tracked the training of physician-learners on the correct cause of death reporting and certification. Results: Awareness of correct MCCOD and its personal and public health value reached at least 4000 learners, over a hundred medical faculty, and all deans of medical colleges in the Philippines. Conclusion The PRECEDE-PROCEED Model provided a clear and practicable framework for the advocacy and education efforts to train senior medical students and interns on MCCOD. It can similarly guide other medical education innovations by defining predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors then considering these factors for intervention strategies, implementation, process evaluation, outcome evaluations, and impact evaluations.
advocacy ; medical education

Objective: Mortality data is a critical input to public health decision-making and planning. Yet, about 36% of underlying causes of death reported by physicians in 2018 are considered garbage codes, not useful in analyzing public health and mortality (PSA, 2018). We used the PRECEDE-PROCEED approach to develop, implement, and report an advocacy and education Project to improve training on medical certification of cause of death (MCCOD) among senior medical students and interns. Methods: An MCCOD Instructional Design and eLearning course was introduced and validated in 33 medical education institutions. Lessons enhanced these education materials and are proposed for nationwide adoption. In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Project fast-tracked the training of physician-learners on the correct cause of death reporting and certification. Results: Awareness of correct MCCOD and its personal and public health value reached at least 4000 learners, over a hundred medical faculty, and all deans of medical colleges in the Philippines. Conclusion The PRECEDE-PROCEED Model provided a clear and practicable framework for the advocacy and education efforts to train senior medical students and interns on MCCOD. It can similarly guide other medical education innovations by defining predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors then considering these factors for intervention strategies, implementation, process evaluation, outcome evaluations, and impact evaluations.
Education, Medical

Background and Introduction. The RxBox is a telemedicine device that measures and transmits vital signs to remote experts. It has been deployed to primary care health centers (PCHC) in the Philippines serving disadvantaged populations, to decrease morbidity and mortality due to common diseases and poor access to care. Factors affecting its adoption by healthcare workers is unknown.

Materials and Methods. The study determined social and behavioral factors that affect adoption of a telemedicine device into the clinical workflow using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework. This is a mixed methods research using review of records, survey and focused group discussions.

Results and Discussion. RxBox telemedicine devices were installed in 79 primary care health centers (PCHC) and were used a total of 15,705 times within the study period. An ordinary least squares regression analysis using the combined site and individual-level data showed that among the UTAUT parameters, only compatibility, facilitating conditions, and social factors have significant relationships with intent-to-use of the RxBox. The innovation assisted primary care health workers in their clinical responsibilities, improved the stature of their PCHC in the community, and helped in the care for patients. Training and technology support after deployment as well as encouragement by peer and champions (the PCHC physician, local government leaders) reinforced continuous use after training. Users described the experienced improvements in quality of services provided by the PCHC and the consequent benefits to their patients.

Conclusions. These factors should be accounted for in designing strategies to reinforce health workers' attitudes and enhance support towards acceptance and use of novel telemedicine devices into clinical routine in local health centers. Lessons are immediately useful for local leaders in low- and lower middle-income countries that suffer disproportionately from unnecessary maternal deaths and mortality due to non-communicable diseases. This contributes to the body of knowledge and should bolster national-level advocacy to institute an enabling policy on telehealth Information Communication Technology (ICT) and use of Filipino innovations towards health systems strengthening. Results can be used by implementers, evaluators, and regulators of health ICT, especially in resource-poor settings. Likewise, the study can encourage more research in the field to spur more dynamic local health ICT and biomedical device industries.