Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are acknowledged as key drivers in realizing health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University of the Philippines Manila, College of Public Health (UP CPH) together with the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), hosted the 53rd APACPH International Conference last 21-23 September 2022. The conference discussed current issues relating to the attainment of SDGs and promoted collaboration of leading academic institutions and other stakeholders in addressing various public health challenges. The conference revolved around the challenges and opportunities in attaining health-related SDGs, and the good practices and roles of HEIs in addressing health disparities. The lack of certificati on framework of public health tertiary programs, pedagogy and infrastructure, and ambiguous roles and network of public health professionals were discussed. The conference served as a platform for discussing potential resolutions and ways forward in addressing these challenges. Opportunities for improvement such as updating of policies and curricula, strengthening of internship and community engagement programs, establishment of capacity-building partnerships and programs, and developing multidisciplinary-competent faculty and students were identified. This paper providesthe highlights of the conference focusing on the good practices and roles of HEIs in addressing health disparities, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, and other issues and challenges in attaining SDGs.

Human ; Sustainable Development ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Public Health

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Midwives play a vital role in the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals related to the health and well-being of mothers and newborns. Strengthening the leadership and management capacities of midwives is pivotal to the fulfillment of their mandate beyond assisting in birth and delivery. The study explores the perspectives of midwives about professional education and practice, which are aimed to serve as bases for developing a leadership course for midwives to enhance their roles in public health.

METHODS

The study employed a descriptive-qualitative design. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, online focus group discussions (FGDs) with midwives from the academe, professional organization, and clinical practice were conducted. Through directed content analysis, the gathered information was analyzed to include the participants’ insights on midwifery competencies, teaching methods and assessment strategies, supplementary courses and training, and factors affecting midwifery practice.

RESULTS

A total of eleven (11) participants contributed to the FGDs, which included midwives from the academe (dean, faculty), professional organization (board member of the Professional Regulation Commission), and clinical practice (public and private institutions). Notably, participants shared their perspectives regarding the similarities/differences in the terminal competencies of midwifery programs. The demands of outcomes-based education, coupled by the shift to online learning due to the pandemic, pushed the need for modifications in program delivery for the students. Results highlighted the need for supplementary courses and capacity building on leadership and management, research, and interprofessional collaboration. Midwives shared factors that affect their professional practice, which include insufficient training, inadequate manpower, and differences in expectations/standards in task performance.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate the need to develop capacity-building courses for midwives to enhance their contribution towards universal health care. The results of this study also highlight the importance of understanding and improving the competencies of midwives across the building blocks of the health system, which include health service delivery, human resources for health, health information systems, health financing, health governance, and health regulation. Notably, key concepts recommended for the Leadership Development Course for Midwives include: leadership and management, research, and interprofessional collaboration.

Leadership ; Universal Health Care ; Midwives ; Midwifery ; Sustainable Development ; Sustainable Development Goals

PURPOSE

Reflective practice is widely recognized as a fundamental component of nursing education and professional development that had the potential to enhance critical thinking skills. This study intended to evaluate the effect of reflective practice interventions on the critical thinking capability of student nurses.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The quantitative, meta-analysis design was employed. CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Health Sources and Google Scholar databases weresearched forpublications in English until December 2020.The studies were subjected to quality assessment with the JBI checklist, systematic data extraction and statistical analysis using Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 3.0.

FINDINGS

A total of four studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Reflective practice strategies such as journaling/journal writing and self-regulated learning had effectively enhance critical thinking skills of student nurses (summary effect=0.24; 95% CI [0.13-0.44]; p-value= 0.00004). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the strength of the findings and the publication bias was assessed and found to be minimal.

CONCLUSION

Reflective practice interventions had positive impact on the improvement of critical thinking capacity of nursing students. With the practical implications for nursing education and professional development, this study had recommended to integrate reflective practice strategies into the curriculum and training programs.

Human ; Reflective Practice ; Cognitive Reflection ; Critical Thinking ; Thinking ; Meta-analysis ; Nursing ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Sustainable Development

Even after two years, the COVID-19 pandemic still disrupts public activities and services as it exposes vulnerabilities among the population and negatively impacts environmental conditions. The crisis also impeded global progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The Fourth Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) Forum held virtually on November 25 to 26, 2021 provided a venue for learning about local and international COVID-19 responses to help prepare for the next global crisis. Through the systems thinking approach, the discussions prioritized analyses of leadership and governance, financing, human resource, technologies, information management, and service delivery. These analyses focused on community and/or workplace programs and services linked to air quality, waste management, psychosocial wellness, and COVID-19 vaccination. The forum amplified calls for climate actions and public health improvement and emphasized the significance of a collaborative, evidence-based, integrated public health response to a crisis underscoring the apparent interdependence of the SDGs.
Environmental Health ; Occupational Health ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Covid-19 ; air quality