OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of a Teleconsultation Program on health care provider and patient satisfaction regarding health care delivery. It is a descriptive cohort that described the satisfaction of health care providers and patients with the combined web (moodle) and Short Message Service (SMS)-based system of teleconsultation of the ADZU-SOM.

METHODS: This is a prospective cohort that included Municipal Health Officers from Region IX and Sulu and their patients. Questionnaires on satisfaction with the Teleconsultation program was given and filled up. Utilization of the mode of teleconsultation was monitored.

RESULTS: The study included 8 municipal health officers and 39 patients who completed questionnaires on satisfaction with the Teleconsultation program. Only 35% of physician-respondents and 36.4% of patient-respondents returned the questionnaires. The most common method of referring is through mobile phone SMS. High satisfaction rating was noted by both health providers and patients but concerns were raised regarding the costs of the system. The respondents felth that privacy issues were kept confidential with the system.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, given the preference for mobile phones among Filipino rural physicians in municipal health units, telemedicine applications should be developed specifically for use in that platform.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Remote Consultation ; Patient Satisfaction ; Text Messaging ; Privacy ; Personal Satisfaction ; Telemedicine ; Cell Phones ; Surveys And Questionnaires ; Health Personnel

One of the important prerequisites in developing health programs and policies for pediatric neurologic diseases is accurate information about the status of these diseases in the country. At present, there is no existing registry of pediatric neurological diseases in the country. The Child Neurology Society Philippines (CNSP) sought to develop and implement a national registry for pediatric neurologic diseases. Specifically, it aimed to 1.) determine a consensus for the purposes of the registry, 2.) develop an implementation system from data collection until information dissemination, 3.) install a system for evaluating data reliability, and 4.) establish a feedback system for improvement. Results showed that the CNSP members wanted a census of diseases, to use the data for research, to identify participants for a research study, and for epidemiological surveillance. Data collection is by filling up forms at the clinic level and its submission to the centralized encoder. Monthly and annual census of diseases are generated and e-mailed to each member who has subscribed to these reports. Custom reports may be produced when requested. Early challenges in the implementation of the database include negative personal preconceived ideas about the database, collecting data, possible ethical concerns, and logistical limitations.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a rare condition among Asians and has not been reported in the Philippines as of this time. The inclusion of this disease in the Philippines’ Expanded Newborn Screening Program (ENBS) has provided this Filipino family the opportunity of early detection and appropriate management of this condition that could ensure the survival of the proband and his other surviving siblings. Here we present a case of a 24-month-old male who had a positive Expanded Newborn Screening (ENBS) test for cystic fibrosis and eventually underwent further tests to confirm a homozygous deletion of exons 1 - 2 of the CFTR gene. He subsequently had recurrent pneumonia but is being managed by a team consisting of a pulmonologist, gastroenterologist, and a metabolic dietitian. The proband had an older sibling whose Newborn Screening (NBS) test was normal and who eventually expired from recurrent bouts of pneumonia. This sibling was never managed as a case of cystic fibrosis. Implications on the diagnosis and management of CF in the local setting is also discussed. The importance of an appropriate CF panel customized to the local population should be reiterated and carrier testing should be encouraged to help with proper family counseling for future pregnancies for the family involved.
Cystic Fibrosis ; Neonatal Screening ; Philippines