BACKGROUND: Asthma still remains a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality in the world. Hence it is important that quality care is given to these patients at any given time. Several methods are explored to further improve physician performance particularly residents-in-training, thus this study was conceptualized.

OBJECTIVE: This study was done to determine whether a workshop allowing residents to set criteria based on a clinical practice guideline improved the appropriateness of care given to adult asthmatic patients in exacerbation as measured by chart audit.

METHODS: The setting was the Ambulatory Care Unit of the Philippine General Hospital with the first year residents of the Department of Family and Community Medicine for the year 2007 as subjects. This is a "before-and-after" study. The comparison of the difference before and after workshop percentage appropriateness of care in terms of five criteria was the main outcome.

RESULTS: The mean age of the first year residents was 31.57 + 4.502 years. Four were males and ten females. Mean year graduated from medical school was 5.5 + 4.47. From the five criteria, two of them: history taking (93.9%) and assessment (100%) were already above the set standard of 80% prior to the workshop. After the workshop, the percentage appropriateness of care in terms of history taking and assessment was maintained above the set standard. At baseline, three of the five criteria: physical examination (78.8%), treatment (51.5%) and follow-up/health education (66.7%) were noted below the set standard. The three improved after the workshop: only physical examination was significant (from 78.8% to 100%, p value = 0.006), treatment improved but still below the set standard (from 51.5% to 60.6%) while follow up/health education (from 66.7% to 81.8%) was slightly above set standard.

CONCLUSION: Workshop allowing the residents to have their own set of criteria based on a clinical practice guideline as an intervention for quality improvement is an effective tool in improving appropriateness of care in terms of physical examination. However, there seemed to have a need for repeated measures to further attain acceptable levels of appropriateness of care.

Human ; Male ; Female ; ASTHMA ; PATIENT CARE ; Quality Assurance, Health Care ; QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE ; Work Performance ; Physicians ; Delivery of Health Care

Background: Shared decision-making (SDM) is the active process of collaborative clinical decision making between patient and physician. Factors associated with use of shared decision making have been investigated previously, but few have explored this topic locally. Objective: To determine patient and physician characteristics associated with shared decision making of adult Filipino patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from January to April 2020 among patients of the Family Medicine Clinic (FMC) of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) with type 2 diabetes mellitus and all residents of the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM). Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical characteristics were obtained using self-administered questionnaires, and shared decision making was measured using the SDM Q-9 Filipino Version. Responses were encoded using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS. Results: A total of 153 patients and 36 residents were recruited into the study. The patients had an average age of 59 (SD + 9.52) years, with the majority being female (68.6%), and a mean HbA1c level of 7.76% (SD + 2.53%). The physicians had an average age of 29.6 (SD + 4.59) years, and more than half were female (66.67%). The mean level of perceived shared decision making was 85.77% (SD + 14.12%). Patients who were not aware of the current HbA1c level were less likely to have high shared decision making, while having two or less comorbidities increased the likelihood of having a highly participative consultation. Conclusion The perceived mean shared decision making was 85.77%. Shared decision making was associated with lack of knowledge on HbA1c level and few comorbidities among adult Filipino patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus at the Family Medicine Clinic of the Outpatient Department of the Philippine General Hospital. None of the physician characteristics were linked to patient participation.
Decision Making, Shared ; Patient Participation ; Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease leading to target organ complications over time. The delays in treatment and glycemic control have significant implications in short and long-term health outcomes resulting in increased healthcare resource utilization thus timely insulin initiation and intensification is recommended Objective: This clinical pathway was developed to guide family and community physicians on how to intensify the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) using insulin intended for patients who require insulin initiation or titration Methods: The PAFP Clinical Pathways Group reviewed published literature in order to identify, summarize and operationalize the evidence in the management of T2DM patients on insulin use in family and community practice. The recommendations are time bound tasks on patient care processes, in terms of history and physical examination, laboratory tests, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions and patient outcomes Summary of Recommendations The recommendations on clinical history and physical examination, laboratory, pharmacologic interventions, non-pharmacologic interventions subdivided into patient-centered, family-focused and community-oriented and patient outcomes are grouped into first visit and second visit, continuing visits
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Insulin ; Family Practice

Continuing care in family and community medicine is a dynamic process that requires regular patient assessments and adjustments of treatment strategies as the patient goes through the wellness and disease process. Family and community physicians need to be aware of any changes in the patient's clinical condition and re-assess therapeutic interventions when such changes occur. The use of clinical pathways can optimize the management of patients with a given disorder in our setting. The overall goal of the project is to improve the quality of health care in Philippine family and community medicine practice.
Clinical pathway is defined as a "tool to guide family and community medicine practitioners to implement evidence- based care and holistic interventions to specific group of patients and populations within a specific timeframe adjusted for acceptable variations that may be due to patient and practice setting characteristics designed to achieve optimum health outcome for the patient and community and efficient use of health care resources." In this definition, holistic interventions refer to interventions directed to the individual patient within the context of the family and community. In this context the PAFP Clinical Pathways Project will be developed to promote and implement the clinical pathways in family and community medicine. The PAFP Clinical Pathways Project will be implemented by a group who will review published medical literature to identify, summarize and operationalize the clinical content of diagnostics, interventions and clinical indicators or outcomes to develop an evidence-based clinical pathway in family medicine practice. The group will also identify processes and indicators to measure the effect of implementation of clinical pathways. Linear time-related representations of patient care processes, in terms of assessments, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions as well as social and community strategies to prevent complications and maintain wellness will be developed. The clinical pathways will be disseminated to the general PAFP membership and other stakeholders for consensus development. We hope that with this process, family and community medicine practitioners will be dedicated to a common goal and overcome organizational, personal, and professional perspectives barriers to the implementation of the clinical pathway.
The implementation of the clinical pathways to be adopted by the PAFP will include a nation-wide dissemination, education, quality improvement initiatives and feedback. Dissemination will be in a form of publication in the Family Filipino Physician Journal, conference presentations and focused group discussions. Quality improvement activities will be in a form of patient record reviews, audit and feedback. Audit standards will be the assessment and intervention recommendations in the clinical pathway. Variations will be discussed in focused group meeting and feedback sessions. The clinical pathways recommendations may also be revised if the variations are justified. Quality improvement activities will also be used to identify barriers in the implementation of clinical pathway. An electronic medical information system may also be used to facilitate the implementation.
To monitor the implementation of clinical pathways the PAFP need to select, define and use outcomes and impact to monitor the success of implementation. Outcomes and impact will be at the practice level and the organizational level. Practice level can be a simple count of family and community medicine practice using and applying the clinical pathways. Patient outcomes will also be measured based on quality improvement reports. Organizational outcomes can be activities of the PAFP devoted to the promotion, development, dissemination and implementation of clinical pathways.

Critical Pathways ; Community Medicine ; Consensus ; Quality Improvement ; Goals ; Family Practice ; Physicians, Family ; Patient Care ; Focus Groups

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of hypertension in the Western Pacific Region is 37% of adults older than 24, while in the Philippines it is 25% of adults 21 years old and above. Several guidelines have been developed for the management of hypertension. All these guidelines have recommendations for assessment and treatment.
OBJECTIVES: The overall objective of the development and implementation of this clinical pathway is to improve outcomes of patients with hypertension seen in family and community practice.
METHODS: The PAFP Clinical Pathways Group reviewed published medical literature to identify, summarize, and operationalize the clinical content of diagnostics, interventions and clinical indicators or outcomes to develop an evidence-based clinical pathway in family medicine practice. The group developed a time-related representation of recommendations on patient care processes, in terms of history and physical examination, laboratory tests, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions as well as social and community strategies to treat hypertension and prevent complications.
RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommendations were made based on the number of visits. During the first visit, all adult patients consulting at the clinic should be screened for hypertension with appropriate BP measurement. A thorough history focusing on symptoms, family history using genogram, smoking and other lifestyle and co-existing chronic disease and a thorough physical examination focusing on the weight/BMI, waist/hip ration, funduscopy, neurological, cardiac, renal and peripheral arteries should be done. For the laboratory, request for 12-lead ECG, urinalysis, FBS, creatinine, serum K and lipid profile to determine co-morbidities and baseline values. If the patient is already diagnosed hypertensive, start/continue medications with either or a combination of thiazide-type diuretic, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blocker depending on co-morbidities or side effects. But if there is a need for further confirmation, no medication is warranted. Educate the patient about hypertension, risk factors and complications. If medications were prescribed, explain the dose, frequency, intended effect, possible side effects and importance of medication adherence. Lifestyle modifications focusing on weight control, exercise and smoking cessation should be advised. During the first first visit is expected that the patient is aware of the diagnosis of hypertension, its risks factors and complications to encourage compliance.
IMPLEMENTATION: Education, training and audit are recommended strategies to implement the clinical pathway.

Human ; Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Smoking Cessation ; Medication Adherence ; Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors ; Hypertension ; Chronic Disease ; Lipids ; Thiazides ; Arteries

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the contributors to the burden of non-communicable disease. Health education is a key component in COPD management. Effective health education interventions directed to patient, family and community are necessary to prevent exacerbations, emergency room visits, hospitalizations and improve quality of life for patients with COPD. The general objective of the study was to determine effectiveness of health education interventions directed to patient, family and community. Specifically, to determine the effect on the number of acute exacerbations, COPD related emergency room visits and hospitalizations, improvement in the quality of life and patient satisfaction. Methods: This study only included comparative clinical trials randomized or non- randomized, parallel or cross-over clinical trial design, cohort study involving humans as the participants. It also includes published studies in peer reviewed journals of PubMed, clinical trials registered Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the grey literature. There were no foreign language studies included relevant to this review. The non-comparative clinical trials, outcomes research or real-world data, animal experiments, reviews and case reports were excluded. The study population of reviewed literature has an established diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria for diagnosis of COPD. Studies involving COPD patients who have other co morbidities were also included. The patients with COPD in the study were similar to patients consulting in family and community medicine practice clinics in the Philippines. Data synthesis was done separately for each type of intervention, i.e., patient directed, family directed, community directed health education intervention on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Quantitative analysis was only possible for studies reporting similar outcomes and units of measures such as number of COPD-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits for health education intervention directed to patient and improvement in the quality-of-life scores for health education intervention directed to family and community. Narrative synthesis was done when it was not feasible to include studies to do pooled analysis due to any of the following reasons such as different outcomes and when outcomes not reported as means with standard deviation. The Review Manager 5 software was used in the analysis of the data. Sensitivity analysis was done by restricting the analysis to published studies and with low risk of bias. Results: A total of ten studies were included. Health education interventions directed to patient has no benefit in decreasing the number of COPD related emergency room visits (1.84, 95% CI 0.94,2.74) and insufficient evidence to decrease the number of COPD related hospitalizations (4.33,95%CI-4.69,13.34). Health education intervention directed to family have insufficient evidence to improve the quality of life among patients with COPD (0.35,95% CI -0.49,1.19). Community directed health education intervention have significantly improved the quality of life among patients with COPD (-1.95,95% CI -3.37, -0.53).The studies had low risk for bias in terms of random sequence generation, allocation concealment and blinding of outcome assessment except for one study that was a non-randomized trial (Tabari et al, 2018). The highest risk for bias across the studies was the non-blinding of the participants. The withdrawals or dropouts in one study exceeded 20%. Three studies reported non possibility of blinding the assessor (Marques et al 2015, Nguyen et al 2019, Tabari et al 2018). Furthermore, five studies (Gallefos, 2004, Hernandez et al 2015, Tabari et al 2018, Van Wetering et al 2010, Marques et al, 2015) did not report the use of intention to treat analysis Discussion Effective health education interventions directed to patient, family and community in conjunction with standard of care may decrease exacerbations, hospitalizations, emergency visits, better quality of life and patient satisfaction. The studies included for this review were heath education interventions solely directed to patient, to family and to community and not a combination of the interventions directed to patient and family, or patient and community, or patient and family and community. Overall, health education interventions are integrated in a patient centered family focused community-oriented care for COPD. Health education is just one of the components of the integrated care on COPD. Better control of COPD is likely due to the combined effects of the different care components. Hence, there is a need for more randomized controlled trials on health education interventions directed to patient and family. Inclusion of COPD related hospitalizations, emergency room visits, acute exacerbations as outcome measures in health education interventions directed to patient, family and community is useful to provide evidence in effectiveness of the intervention. The authors declare no financial or funding involvement in the development and implementation of this study. This protocol was registered with Research Grants Administration Office (RGAO) with Registration No. RGAO-2020-1276, Research Implementation Development Office (RIDO) and to the Research Committee of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians. The study was given Certification of Exemption from Ethical Review by the University of the Philippines Research Ethics Board (UPMREB CODE: UPMREB 2020-783-EX
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, causing a pandemic. The Philippines ranks 3rd in Southeast Asia with more than 15,000 confirmed cases, and a case fatality rate of 6.01%, close to the global average of 6.33%. Objective: This clinical pathway was developed to guide family and community physicians on the diagnosis and initial management of COVID-19 in terms of 1) clinical history and physical examination; 2) laboratory and ancillary procedures to be requested; 3) pharmacologic interventions; 4) non-pharmacologic interventions, and 5) patient outcomes to expect. Method: The PAFP Clinical Pathways Group reviewed the published medical literature to identify, summarize, and operationalize the evidence in clinical publication on the management of patients with COVID-19 in family and community practice. Recommendations: The recommendations are time-bound tasks on patient care processes, in terms of history and physical examination, laboratory tests, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. The recommendations are presented as a table and algorithm. Implementation At the clinic level, self-audit using the recommendations of this clinical pathway as the standard may be done. At the organizational level, the PAFP should establish a new model of quality improvement initiative where self-practice audits are included as part of the program.
COVID-19 ; Family Practice

Background: Uninvestigated dyspepsia is a common complaint in family practice in the Philippines. Patients usually seek consult due to severity of symptoms which affect their quality of life. The goals of management are short- and long-term symptom control, with reversal of possible underlying mechanisms, achievable through a combination of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Objective: The main objective of this pathway is to guide family physicians and primary care physicians in the assessment, diagnosis and management of adult patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia through a shared decision-making process. Method: This clinical pathway is an update of the PAFP’s Clinical Pathways for the Management of Dyspepsia in Adults (2016). The current panel utilized the ADAPTE method and prioritized reviewing relevant clinical practice guidelines from 2017 to present. Grading of recommendation was achieved through a mixture of strength of available evidence and a consensus from a panel of experts. Summary of Recommendations: The main changes in the recommendations in this update are as follows: symptom-based classification of dyspepsia, screening for anxiety and depression, family and SCREEM assessment; initiation of therapeutic trial for most patients to whom H. pylori testing is not available; extension of initial PPI treatment to 4-8 weeks, consideration of antacids/alginates for immediate symptom relief, consideration of tricyclic antidepressants for non-responders to initial treatment; symptom-based non-pharmacologic advice, consideration of counseling and other psychosocial interventions; empowerment for self-treatment and as-needed therapy for those who have completed the initial treatment regimen Dissemination and Implementation This guideline shall be disseminated and implemented at the clinic and organizational level. It will be published in the “The Filipino Family Physician” journal, social media platforms and will be disseminated through PAFP local chapters, training institutions and during the national convention. Non-FCM primary care physicians will also be reached through relevant agencies. It shall be included in the references required during training activities and national exams of accredited training institutions, in coordination with the PAFP committee on Residency Training. It shall be incorporated in checklists for compliance in audits and QA cycles, with support from the PAFP committee on Quality Assurance and that on Standards for Family Practice. Feedback on utility and applicability will be actively sought from the intended users and other stakeholders.
Dyspepsia ; Community Health Services ; Critical Pathways

Background: In a low resource setting, strategies to optimize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies are being observed. Alternative protective measures were identified to protect health care personnel during delivery of care Objective: To provide list of recommendations on alternative protective equipment during this Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic Methodology: Articles available on the various research databases were reviewed, appraised and evaluated for its quality and relevance. Discrepancies were rechecked and consensus was achieved by discussion. Recommendations: The use of engineering control such as barriers in the reception areas minimize the risk of healthcare personnel. Personal protective equipment needed are face shields or googles, N95 respirators, impermeable gown and gloves. If supplies are limited, the use of N95 respirators are prioritized in performing aerosol-generating procedures, otherwise, surgical masks are acceptable alternative. Cloth masks do not give adequate protection, but can be considered if it is used with face shield. Fluid-resistance, impermeable gown and non-sterile disposable gloves are recommended when attending to patients suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Used, soiled or damaged PPE should be carefully removed and properly discarded. Extended use of PPE can be considered, while re-use is only an option if supplies run low. Reusable equipment should be cleaned and disinfected every after use Conclusion In supplies shortage, personal protective equipment was optimized by extended use and reuse following observance of standard respiratory infection control procedures such as avoid touching the face and handwashing. The addition of physical barriers in ambulatory and triage areas add another layer of protection
Personal Protective Equipment ; Triage

Background: Dizziness is a commonly encountered symptom in the primary care which can be caused, most of the time by benign condition and rarely due to serious conditions needing higher level of care. Objective: To develop a clinical guideline and pathway that will serve as guide in the diagnosis and management of adult patients with dizziness in primary care and outpatient setting Methods: A guideline development team was formed which is composed of family and community medicine specialists from different institutions. Searching, selection and assessment of the latest evidence on dizziness diagnosis and management was done using the search terms: “dizziness”, “diagnosis”, “management”, and “primary care”. Formulation of the recommendation was done using Grade approach and graded with modified GRADEPro and expert panel consensus. External review was also done by an expert in otorhinolaryngology. Recommendations: Clinical Assessment •Recommendation1.Askforthepatient’sdescriptionofdizzinessandclassifythepatientintooneofthefourtypes: vertigo, presyncope, disequilibrium, and lightheadedness and classify as acute/episodic or chronic/sustained. (Strong Recommendation, Low Quality Evidence) •Recommendation2.Obtainamedicalhistoryfocusingonthetiming,triggers,associatedsymptoms,riskfactorsfor atherosclerotic vascular disease, and functional status or quality of life. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation3.Performaphysicalexaminationfocusingonvitalsigns,HEENT(includingotoscopy),cardiovascular and neurologic examination. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation4.PerformspecialphysicalexaminationslikeDix-Hallpikemaneuverforacuteepisodictriggeredvertigo to check for BPPV (most common cause of peripheral vertigo), HINTS plus test for spontaneous episodic vertigo to check for stroke and hyperventilation provocation test for patients suspected of anxiety (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation5.Elicitredflagsthatshouldwarrantreferrallikeseveredizzinessandassociated,alteredmentalstatus, loss of consciousness and abnormal vital signs. Other symptoms like chest pain, palpitations, dyspnea, neurologic deficit may warrant referral for evaluation and management. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation6.Forpatientsconsultingviatelemedicine,obtainamedicalhistoryfocusingonthetiming,triggers, associated symptoms, risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease, and functional status or quality of life, and observe and conduct self-physical examination (vital signs, mental status, ocular and facial nerve) (Strong Recommendation, Low Quality Evidence) Diagnostic •Recommendation7.Laboratorytestingisnotroutinelyrecommendedamongpatientswithdizziness.However,testingmay be requested if there is a need to identify a definite etiology to guide treatment and should be guided by the classification of dizziness, possible etiology, and the medical history and physical examination. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence).Recommendation8.Forpatientswithvertigoandwithauditorysymptoms(i.e.,hearingloss,tinnitusandauralfullness, etc.), pure tone audiometry speech test may be requested if available. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation9.Forpatientswithpresyncope/syncopeandachronicmedicalconditionisbeingconsidered,complete blood count may be requested for those with probable blood dyscrasia, serum blood glucose may be requested for those with diabetes, electrocardiogram and lipid profile may be requested for those with cardiovascular disease. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation10.Forpatientswithdisequilibriumandwithanabnormalneurologicphysicalexaminationfinding,CT scan may be requested. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) Pharmacologic •Recommendation11.Empirictrialofshortcourse(7days)pharmacologictreatmentforsymptomreliefshouldbeoffered. Referral should be considered if the dizziness become more severe or it did not improve in 7 days. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation12.Forpatientswithmildtomoderatevertigo,offerhistamineanalogue(betahistine)orantihistamine (meclizine, diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate or cinnarizine) for symptom relief. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation13.Forpatientswithmildtomoderatevertigoassociatedwithmigraine(vestibularmigraine),aside from symptom relief, offer any of the triptans as preventive medication. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation14.Forpatientswhosedizzinessisdescribedasdisequilibrium(gaitimbalance)orpresyncope(near faintness) or dizziness with anxiety attack, offer symptomatic treatment and intervention based on the underlying cause or consider referral to appropriate specialist. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) Non-pharmacologic •Recommendation15.Allpatientsshouldbeprovidedwithhealtheducationoncauses,triggersandfollowup.(Strong Recommendation, Low Quality Evidence) •Recommendation16.Allpatientsshouldbeadvisedonappropriatedietandlifestylemodification.(StrongRecommendation, Low Quality Evidence) •Recommendation17.Dependingonthenatureofvertigo,educateandtrainthepatientoncanalrepositioningmaneuver and vestibular rehabilitation. Referral to rehabilitation medicine may be considered. (Strong Recommendation, High Quality Evidence) •Recommendation18.Thepatient’sfamilymustalsobeprovidedwithhealtheducationandidentifyacaregivertoassist and promote compliance to management. (Strong Recommendation, Low Quality Evidence) •Recommendation19.Encouragecommunity-basedvestibularrehabilitationactivitiessuchasgroupbalancetraining exercise. (Strong Recommendation, Low Quality Evidence) Patient Outcomes •Recommendation20.Thepatientshouldknowthenatureofdizziness,causesandpotentialcomplicationsanddevelop skills in postural exercises. (Strong Recommendation, Moderate Quality Evidence) •Recommendation21.Decreaseinfrequencyandseverityshouldexpectedwithin48hoursandresolutionisexpectedwithin a month. (Strong Recommendation, Moderate Quality Evidence) •Recommendation22.Improvedqualityoflifeshouldalsobeelicited.(StrongRecommendation,ModerateQualityEvidence) •Recommendation23.Referraltoappropriatespecialtyshouldbedoneifnoresolutionorprogressionofsymptomsor impaired quality of life for more than a month. (Strong Recommendation, Expert Opinion) Implementation The committee shall disseminate the guidelines through presentations and via journal publications. The QA committee shall be in charge of implementation of the guideline and pathway.
Community Health Services ; Dizziness ; Partnership Practice