Objective: To review current available evidence that addresses the question regarding the efficacy of intravenous methylprednisolone and oral-prednisone treatment regimens in improving vision among optic-neuritis patients. Methods: A literature search for randomized controlled trials on the treatment of optic neuritis in adults using steroids was conducted. A total of 23 studies were identified in the search. Of these, the Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (ONTT) was identified as the largest multicenter, randomized controlled trial that evaluated the effect of steroids in the treatment of optic neuritis in adults. The initial article regarding the results of this landmark study published in 1992 and follow-up reports focusing on the five-year and ten-year visual outcomes published in 1997 and 2004 were appraised for this review. Results: Treatment with high dose intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisone produced short-term accelerated visual recovery but provided no long-term benefit to vision. Most patients retained good to excellent vision following an attack of optic neuritis regardless of treatment received. A significantly increased risk of recurrence of optic neuritis in either eye (19 percent) was noted in the oral-prednisone treatment group. There were no significant differences among the treatment groups in the risk of development of clinically definite multiple sclerosis. Conclusion: Intravenous methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisone may be considered as treatment for patients with acute optic neuritis in whom there is a need to speed up recovery of vision. Considering that the use of oral prednisone alone was associated with an increased risk of recurrence of optic neuritis in either eye, no treatment is an option.
INFUSIONS, INTRAVENOUS ; METHYLPREDNISOLONE ; ADMINISTRATION, ORAL ; PREDNISONE ; OPTIC NEURITIS

Human ; Female ; Child ; CONGENITAL ; OCULAR MOTILITY DISORDERS ; OCULOMOTOR NERVE/ABNORMALITIES ; OPHTHALMOLEGIA/CONGENITAL ; APRAXIAS/GENETICS ; CASE REPORTS ; HUMAN ; FEMALE ; CHILD

Objective. To compare the performance of graduates in a traditional curriculum and graduates in an organ system integrated curriculum from the same school on the national medical licensure examination. Methods. The scores of graduates of the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine in 2008, taught in the traditional medical curriculum were compared with those of the scores of graduates in 2009, taught under the organ system integrated curriculum, on the Physicians Licensure Examination (PLE) conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Average scores, and scores per subject were compared using t-test. Results. The graduates of the organ system integrated curriculum (2009) had higher average scores than the graduates of the traditional curriculum (2008). The former also had higher scores in Physiology, Legal Medicine, Pathology, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics. The scores of the 2 groups were not significantly different in Biochemistry, Anatomy, Pharmacology and Medicine. The graduates of the traditional curriculum had higher scores in Microbiology and Preventive Medicine. Conclusion. The graduates of the organ system integrated curriculum (2009) had better over all performance in the physician licensure examinations than the graduates of the traditional curriculum (2008).
Human ; Male ; Female ; LICENSURE, MEDICAL ; LICENSURE

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the existing Public Health Promotion and Education 210 module (PHPE 210) as basis for the revision of the learning resource material. Specifically, this study determined the stakeholders' perceptions on the module in terms of: (1) its presentation, organization, topics covered, clarity/user-friendliness and its relevance to practice; (2) its strengths and weaknesses; and (3) the topics that need to be integrated in the resource material.

METHODS: A qualitative approach was used for this study. Through purposive sampling, 4 focus group discussions and 11 key informant interviews were done. Topic Guide was used as the main data collection instrument. Informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. Data was described verbatim, emerging themes and actual quotations from the participants and informants were extracted in the succeeding analysis.

RESULTS: The results of the focus group discussions and key informant interviews, in general, were similar and actually complemented each other. The module was perceived to be relevant, comprehensive and logically organized. The historical foundation needs to be presented in a more concise and updated manner, and examples and practical applications of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model must be used. To update the module and make it more relevant to the present issues, innovative health promotion strategies such as social media, healthy settings, health in all policies, and multi-sectoral approach must be included in the revised version. Practical applications of the theories and health promotion and education strategies also need to be considered in the revision of the module. The module has to be presented in a more reader-friendly manner, easy-to-use and visually appealing to its readers.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the importance of incorporating the perceptions of educators, module developers, practitioners, experts, and the learners or students in assessing and redesigning a more relevant learning resource material. With the current trends and emerging issues in health promotion and education, an evidence-based development and improvement of learning resource modules to make them relevant to changes have to be continuously undertaken.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Health Education ; Education, Public Health Professional

OBJECTIVES: 

1. To describe the performance of medical students in comprehensive examinations given after each learning unit or year level. 

2. To correlate the scores of the students in the comprehensive examinations to the general weighted average grade (GWAG) for the same learning unit.

3. To correlate the scores in the subject-based part of the comprehensive examinations to the scores in the Physicians Licensure Examination (PLE)

 

METHODS: The scores of graduates of the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine (UPCM) for the years 2009-2011 in the comprehensive examinations, their general weighted average grade per learning unit, and scores in the PLE were retrieved and analyzed. Correlation coefficients of comprehensive examination score and GWAG, and comprehensive examination score and PLE score were computed.

RESULTS: A total of 434 out of 463 graduates from UPCM were included in this study. There was no trend observed in the performance of students in the comprehensive examinations as they progressed from one learning unit to the next. Performance in both portions of the comprehensive examinations was observed to have significant correlation to students' LU GWAG for most of the learning units, with the exception of LU 6 and LU 7 for Class B. Performance in the subject-based portion of the comprehensive examinations was observed to have significant correlation to students' PLE scores.

CONCLUSIONS: The students' scores in the comprehensive examinations had moderate to strong correlation with the GWAG for the corresponding learning unit. Similarly, scores in the subject-based portion of the comprehensive examination had moderate to strong correlation with PLE scores.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Students, Medical ; Philippines ; Learning ; Licensure ; Physicians ; Physical Examination

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the validity of the National Medical Admissions Test (NMAT) score, Pre-Medicine general weighted average grade (Pre-Med GWAG) in predicting the academic performance in medical school, as measured by the medical school general weighted average grade (Med GWAG) and Physician Licensure Examination (PLE). It also aimed to study which among the NMAT, pre-medicine GWAG and MedGWAG best correlates with PLE.

METHODS: Records of graduates of th UPCM from 2004 to 2009 were retrieved and data regardin the following entry characteristics were collected: National Medical Admissions Test (NMAT) scores, pre-Medicine general weighted average grade (MedGWAG). Average and individual subject scores in the PLE were retrieved for this study. Statistical analysis using the Pearson correlation analysis was performed using STATA.

RESULTS: The NMAT, MedGWAG and PLE scores of the direct and lateral entrants were not significantly different from each other. There was weak correlation between NMAT and Pre-Med GWAG and weak to moderate correlation between NMAT and Med GWAG. Except for the 2009 graduates where no correlation between NMAT and PLE scores was noted for 2004-2008 graduates. There was moderate to strong correlation between Pre-Med GWAG and Med GWAG and weak correlation between Pre-Med GWAG and PLE scores. There was strong correlation between Med GWAG and PLE scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Pre-Med GWAG had higher correlations to Med GWAG than NMAT scores. In Terms of PLE scores, the Medicine GWAG showed the highest correlation followed by Pre-Med GWAG, then NMAT scores.

Schools, Medical ; Licensure ; Medicine ; Physicians ; Academic Performance

Objective. To determine operating room efficiency for elective ophthalmologic surgeries requiring general anesthesia in a public tertiary institution based on standard efficiency parameters. Methods. Prospective observational cross-sectional study of randomly selected elective cases requiring general anesthesia from April 2019 to June 2019 in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Philippine General Hospital. A single third-party observer recorded operating room milestones from which efficiency parameters were determined and compared with local and international guidelines and efficiency benchmarks. Results. A total of fifty cases from the Retina, Plastic, Orbit, Glaucoma, and Motility services were observed. None started on the specified start time of 6:30 a.m., with surgeries starting an average of 52 ± 11.90 minutes after. Across subspecialties, median surgical preparation time was statistically significant (χ2: 12.01, p: 0.02), with the Retina and Orbit services having the most extended duration. Across age groups, pediatric cases had lower mean anesthesia preparation times (t: 2.15, df: 48, p: 0.04) and median trans-out lag times (χ2: 4.56, p: 0.03) than adults. Overall, more than 60% of cases reached targets for induction and surgical lag time. Turnaround for adult and pediatric patients was 75 ± 22.77 minutes and 71 ± 14.91 minutes, respectively. Benchmarking analysis showed that the first case on time, entry lag, and exit lag were below the 50th percentile while the room turnover time was above the 95th percentile. Conclusion. Ensuring efficiency requires a multidisciplinary team approach. This research can guide administrators in determining interventions to increase operating room efficiency.
operating room ; efficiency ; ophthalmology

Objective: This study determined the correlation between the performance in the Philippine Board of Ophthalmology (PBO) written qualifying examinations and the Ophthalmology In-Training Proficiency Examinations (OPEX). Methods: PBO written certifying examinations and the OPEX scores of residency graduates covering the years 2005 to 2010 and 2004 to 2009 respectively were retrieved for this study. ANOVA statistical test compared OPEX scores through residency (Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4) and determined if the number of times the OPEX was taken reflected significant differences in the PBO scores of the different groups. Pearson’s test determined the correlation between OPEX and PBO written examination scores. Results: Of the 165 subjects included in the study, 5 took the OPEX four times during their residency, 87 thrice, 39 twice, and 34 once. Mean OPEX scores for the different levels of residency training was observed to be statistically different from each other (p < 0.001). Mean PBO scores improved with increase in the number of times that OPEX was taken during residency (p < 0.001). Significant positive correlation was observed between the PBO scores and OPEX scores for all year levels of residency, average OPEX scores and terminal OPEX scores (r = 0.57 to 0.73, p < 0.0001) with the highest correlation noted between terminal OPEX and PBO scores. Based on the number of OPEX taken, significant correlation was strongest for the group with three OPEX taken (r = 0.73, p < 0.001). Conclusions There is a positive correlation between residents’ performance in the OPEX to their future performance in the written certifying examinations of the PBO.
Ophthalmology ; Education

The ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic triggered a series of events that resulted in the disruption of the delivery of various certifying examinations including that which was given by the Philippine Board of Ophthalmology (PBO). This paper shares the experience of the PBO using digital technology in administering its first ever online delivery of its certifying examinations. Online platform requirements used for delivering the examination are enumerated, online proctoring described, as well as the conduct of oral panel examinations and skills evaluation via video submission. Challenges encountered, feedback reported by both examinee and examiner, lessons learned from this endeavor, and future directions are discussed.

This article describes the partnership between the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila and the province of Laguna in the context of implementation of the field practice course. This partnership paved the way for the development and implementation of projects in seven field practice sites. Projects concentrated mainly on improving quality of data and health information system, development of educational materials, and addressing health problems such as tuberculosis, hypertension and rabies. After the implementation of the various activities, there is a need for both parties (the College of Public Health and the Provincial Health Office of Laguna) to monitor and evaluate if projects have been sustained. Moreover, successful projects must also be fully documented which can serve as models for other areas in the province of Laguna.

Human ; Rabies ; Health Information Systems ; Public Health ; Tuberculosis ; Quality Improvement ; Universities ; Teaching Materials ; Hypertension