1.Delivery of rehabilitation services: Opportunities and threats during a global pandemic.
Philippine Journal of Allied Health Sciences 2023;7(1):6-10
BACKGROUND
This presentation articulated a personal perspective of an Occupational Therapy (OT) practitioner regarding the changes already
happening within the field of rehabilitation before the COVID-19 pandemic and its cataclysmic role that accelerated changes in the delivery of
rehabilitation services, specifically in advancing the application technologies and innovative practices in the clinics, renewed focus on strengthening
and supporting OT and rehabilitation professionals’ health and well-being, and use of transformational instructions to prepare students for future
healthcare challenges. Included in this presentation is the global response to ensure the delivery of rehabilitation services, the exemplar of local
innovations and resilience among Filipino OT and the rehabilitation community, emerging opportunities and threats brought about by the
pandemic, and the lessons and innovations we bring forward as part of the new normal post-COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.
Rehabilitation
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COVID-19 pandemic
2.Addressing difficulty in communication while wearing a respirator mask during the COVID-19 pandemic by using a laryngophone
Laine Valerie C. Kongsun Ching ; Philip Lance Anthony A. Liu
Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2021;36(2):49-51
Objective:
To describe the use of a laryngophone to aid in verbal communication when wearing elastomeric respirator masks.
Methods:
Design: Instrumentation Innovation.
Setting: Tertiary Private Training Hospital.
Participants:
Five volunteers using elastomeric respirator masks rated laryngophone use, afterwhich they individually rated an additional volunteer on speech intelligibility before and after laryngophone use.
Results:
On a scale of 1-10, the average score of the five volunteers for the laryngophone was 8.8 for ease of use, 8.0 for comfort, and 8.0 for ease of communication. Their average speech intelligibility score for the additional volunteer using the respirator mask alone was 2.0, and for use of the respirator mask with laryngophone was 3.6 on a scale of 1-4.
Conclusion
This portable laryngophone speaker may be useful in aiding otolaryngologists and health care providers using elastomeric respirator masks in verbal communication by amplifying speech without needing an external microphone, preventing vocal strain.
COVID-19
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Pandemic
3.Clinical outcomes of patients treated with short-course palliative radiotherapy in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: A single institution experience
Kurl E. Jamora, MD ; Nonette A. Cupino, MD
Acta Medica Philippina 2023;57(8):38-45
Objective:
This study aimed to describe the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of patients treated with a short course (<10 fractions) of palliative radiotherapy during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another aim of the study is to compare patients treated with short-course and long-course palliative radiotherapy in terms of the site and volume irradiated.
Methods:
An ambispective study comprised 23 patients treated with short-course palliative radiotherapy from March 2020 to February 2021. The retrospective aspect of this study included a review of medical records and radiotherapy plans, while the prospective part involved communication with patients or legally authorized representatives via phone call. Demographic, clinical, and treatment-related information were gathered.
Results:
Of 92 patients receiving palliative radiotherapy, 23 were treated with a short course, while 69 were planned for at least ten fractions. Of the 23 patients receiving short-course radiotherapy, most had colorectal (35%) and head and neck (26%) primary malignancies. The most commonly treated sites were the pelvis (24%), vertebral bones (21%), and head and neck masses (21%), and the most common indications were pain (45%) and bleeding (32%). The majority were treated with 20 Gy in 5 fractions (42%) and 25 Gy in 5 fractions (38%). Complete resolution of symptoms was observed in 43% of cases, and more than half reported no side effects (58%). Median survival was 71 days. All patients treated in the lung, stomach, and brain underwent a long course of palliative radiotherapy. Patients with a long course also had higher mean irradiated volumes (1871 cm3 vs. 2150 cm3).
Conclusion
In this single institution review, a short course of palliative radiotherapy was proven to provide good symptom control with few side effects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, its use should be strongly considered, especially in patients with poor performance status, transportation difficulties, and limited life expectancy.
COVID-19 pandemic
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short course
4.The typology of physicians according to perspectives on telemedicine during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic
Marcellus Francis L. Ramirez ; Maria Minerva P. Calimag
Journal of Medicine University of Santo Tomas 2023;7(1):1090-1111
Introduction:
The coronavirus (CoVid-19) pandemic brought about a massive impact to the healthcare system, including disruption of patient follow-ups and consultations. Subsequently, an increase in physicians’ use of telemedicine was seen. While this technology has been documented to improve delivery of care, it has encountered varied acceptance among physicians. Gaps in specific national legislation, lack of established rules and accreditation standards, and ethical/legal implications add to the concerns. Anchored on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model, this study aimed to segment physicians according to their perspectives regarding telemedicine during the pandemic.
Methods
A mixed methods sequential explanatory design using Q-methodology was applied to identify distinct patterns and perceptions of physicians on the use of telemedicine during the pandemic. A Q-sample of 25 statements on perceptions of telemedicine was developed through literature review, and 24 physicians were purposively selected. Participants were instructed to sort statements into a distribution grid according to their degree of agreement/disagreement. Post-sorting interview was conducted to expound on their response. Data were analyzed using by-person factor analysis through the PQMethod software version 2.35.
Telemedicine
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Physicians
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Pandemic
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COVID-19
5.Coping and well-being of school-aged children in a quarantined environment during the COVID- 19 pandemic.
Christian Eric S. Flores ; Pia Gabrielle Q. Canonero ; Angela James L. Chua ; Krystianne Mikhaela S. Cruz ; Christine Angela G. Dayao ; Floreliz V. Ngaya-An
Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development 2023;27(1):1-15
BACKGROUND:
School-aged children bear a lot of difficulties and discomforts brought about by the new normal
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to examine the general well-being of children during the pandemic, how the
children are coping with all the challenges, and parents' strategies to help their children cope
METHODOLOGY:
This study utilized a descriptive correlational research design with purposive sampling. Data
was collected through an online survey. The standardized Kidcope-Child version was utilized to measure
children's coping, while the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)™ 4.0 Short Form 15 Generic Core
Scales was utilized to measure the children's well-being.
RESULTS:
A total of 134 parents participated in the study. No significant relationship was found between the
age, sex, and coping strategies of the children, as well as between the age and well-being of children. Male
children experienced more difficulty in physical functioning (p-value= 0.028), social functioning (p-value=
0.017), and overall well-being (p-value= 0.031) compared to female children. The computed mean for parents'
helping strategies was between 2.67 to 2.78, which lies between the categories of sometimes (2) to always (3).
CONCLUSION
School-aged children were found to be using more positive coping strategies than negative coping
strategies during the pandemic. They have “sometimes” to “almost no” experience of difficulty in terms of the
five functions of well-being. Parents used the six fundamental tasks of parenting to help their children cope.
coping strategies
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well-being
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COVID-19 pandemic
6.Psychosocial experiences of selected pediatric occupational therapists in the Philippines on the shift to Telehealth Practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ysabella Faith F. Anico ; Drieza Joize Q. Bacay ; Allyssa Marie N. Bautista ; Charlaine B. Concepcion ; Noel Enrique A. Cruz ; Irene Y. De Guzman ; Ira Denisse D. Ludovice ; Samantha Marrei P. Macaya ; Corinth Shekainah M. Miranda ; Arminelle Marie M. Roxas ; Alexandra Mae D. Sale ; John Paul B. Sevilla
Philippine Journal of Health Research and Development 2023;27(1):36-44
BACKGROUND:
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals including pediatric
occupational therapists (OTs) mandatorily had to shift to the practice of telehealth in the absence of a safe in-
person setup caused by the outbreak.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aims to determine the psychosocial experiences encountered by selected pediatric OTs in
the Philippines brought by the shift to telehealth practice during the COVID-19 pandemic
METHODOLOGY:
Purposive sampling was used in the study to gather six (6) licensed pediatric OTs who provide
occupational therapy (OT) services via telehealth in the Philippines, and the respondents were not personally
connected to any of the researchers. A semi-structured one-on-one interview with the participants through a
Zoom call was conducted to obtain their psychosocial experiences. A thematic analysis was used and four (4)
themes emerged by the end of the study: consequences of the shift to telehealth practice, changes during
telehealth provision, increased resilience, and increased psychological strain.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the transition to provision of telehealth services to pediatric clients has challenged
the practices of the selected pediatric OTs in terms of preparing for the session, where one of the main prevalent
concerns was toward collaboration and communication with the caregivers; conducting of telehealth sessions,
where communication interruption was one of the main concerns; and in ethical considerations, where OTs
made it a point that they rectified ethical dilemmas amidst telehealth provision. These experienced challenges
also included increased workload and psychological distress, while improved occupational balance and
adaptability were most commonly experienced by OTs
COVID-19 Pandemic
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Occupational Therapy
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Telehealth
7.The prevalence and analysis of related factors of anxiety, depression, and quality of life of out-patients in the Cancer Institute of a COVID-19 referral tertiary hospital: One year into the pandemic
Jennifer B. Sandoval-Tan ; Ramon B. Larrazabal Jr. ; Harold Henrison C. Chiu
Acta Medica Philippina 2023;57(5):63-72
Objective:
This study aimed to determine the prevalence, analyze, and compare the risk factors of anxiety, depression, and quality of life of cancer patients in the out-patient cancer clinic of the Cancer Institute one year into the pandemic. These were compared to the prevalence of anxiety and depression before the pandemic.
Methods:
A cross-sectional analytic study described the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and quality of life and
analysis of its related factors among patients with cancer seen in the outpatient cancer clinic of the Cancer Institute of the Philippine General Hospital from November 1 to 20, 2021, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Pilipino and EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) QLQ-C30 (Quality of Life questionnaire) tools.
Results:
A total of 408 cancer patients were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was
58.33% and 24.51%, respectively. Before the pandemic, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 9.45% and 4.72%, respectively. Two hundred seventy participants (66.18%) had a positive quality of life. The comparison between the prevalence of anxiety and depression between this study (one year into the pandemic) and the pre-pandemic study revealed a statistically significant difference in the majority of both, with more anxious and depressed cancer patients in this study. The participants agreed that the pandemic had affected their daily activities.
Conclusion
The study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased anxiety and depression among cancer patients. The quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients in this study has not been distinctly affected by the pandemic, but for those who have, they still require the attention and support of not just the physicians but the community as a whole. Our findings highlight the need to integrate better psychosocial support and the important role of carers in the evolving pandemic response measures.
pandemic
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anxiety
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depression
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quality of life
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cancer
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COVID-19