BACKGROUND

Internationalization in medical education aims to align programs with global standards, foster intercultural competence, and expand academic collaboration. In private medical schools in Northern Luzon, clarifying how internationalization is conceptualized and enacted can enhance the medical curriculum.

To explore how private medical schools in Northern Luzon conceptualize and implement internationalization, identify associated challenges, and propose curriculum inputs to enhance delivery of the medical curriculum.

The qualitative study utilized a multiple case study design. The study was approved by the Saint Louis University Research Ethics Committee. Using purposive sampling, 45 participants from private institutions in Northern Luzon Philippines consented to engage in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews from February to April 2025. Data were analyzed through inductive content and thematic techniques.

Participants conceptualized internationalization as (1) alignment with international quality and practice standards; (2) global engagement and exchange encompassing knowledge, skills, culture, institutional networking, and collaboration; (3) inclusivity and multicultural responsiveness; and (4) pursuit of global recognition and accreditation. Implementation occurred via “internationalization at home” (embedding global perspectives in local learning environments), “internationalization abroad” (student/faculty mobility and external exposure), and alignment of philosophical and curricular frameworks. Reported challenges included institutional and curricular constraints, language and cultural barriers, sociocultural and financial limitations, and external/contextual pressures.

Addressing the identified barriers and scaling the documented practices can enhance the delivery of the medical curriculum. The study offers actionable curricular revisions that private institutions may adopt to strengthen internationalization in medical education.

BACKGROUND

Internationalization in medical education aims to align programs with global standards, foster intercultural competence, and expand academic collaboration. In private medical schools in Northern Luzon, clarifying how internationalization is conceptualized and enacted can enhance the medical curriculum.

To explore how private medical schools in Northern Luzon conceptualize and implement internationalization, identify associated challenges, and propose curriculum inputs to enhance delivery of the medical curriculum.

The qualitative study utilized a multiple case study design. The study was approved by the Saint Louis University Research Ethics Committee. Using purposive sampling, 45 participants from private institutions in Northern Luzon Philippines consented to engage in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews from February to April 2025. Data were analyzed through inductive content and thematic techniques.

Participants conceptualized internationalization as (1) alignment with international quality and practice standards; (2) global engagement and exchange encompassing knowledge, skills, culture, institutional networking, and collaboration; (3) inclusivity and multicultural responsiveness; and (4) pursuit of global recognition and accreditation. Implementation occurred via “internationalization at home” (embedding global perspectives in local learning environments), “internationalization abroad” (student/faculty mobility and external exposure), and alignment of philosophical and curricular frameworks. Reported challenges included institutional and curricular constraints, language and cultural barriers, sociocultural and financial limitations, and external/contextual pressures.

Addressing the identified barriers and scaling the documented practices can enhance the delivery of the medical curriculum. The study offers actionable curricular revisions that private institutions may adopt to strengthen internationalization in medical education.

Human ; Family Practice ; Medicine ; Case Reports

Human ; Case Reports ; Publications

Case reports remain to be an essential part of knowledge generation in health care. It is a research design that involves writing about a patient’s illness with either an unusual, new, unexpected, or unique characteristic. It can be about new findings, a novel diagnostic test, unfamiliar adverse events or innovative medical and surgical interventions. It is a detailed description of a patient’s course of illness including symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory results, treatment modalities and outcomes. The essential element of writing a case report or series is to contribute to the generation of new knowledge. Wellwritten manuscripts have a valuable purpose in medicine as they present new illness, unexpected effects of treatment, novel diagnostic exams or unforeseen patients’ outcomes. The sections of a case report include an Abstract, Introduction or Background, Case Presentation [history, physical examinations, investigations or laboratories, differential diagnosis (if relevant), treatment (if relevant), outcome/follow-up, Discussion, Learning points/Take home messages, Patients perspectives and References. Manuscripts written as case reports or case series by nature of their design are not required to get approval from an Ethics Review Board (ERB). However, there should be an institutional process to clear and register papers. Case reports or a case series has its own distinctive writing components and features as not all single or series of clinical cases are reportable. This article aimed to define case reports/series, describe the different parts, how to write and evaluate a case report manuscript using the CARE guidelines.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Oral ivermectin, a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic drug, alone or in combination with permethrin, may be a cheaper and more convenient alternative drug to topical permethrin alone in the treatment of classic scabies. There are no previous studies on the treatment acceptability of the three interventions among individual patients with scabies in the Philippines. The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences and perceptions on treatment acceptability for oral ivermectin, topical permethrin or combination treatment among patients with scabies using the multiple-case study approach.

We conducted a qualitative multiple case study among adult Filipino patients with classic scabies who were prescribed oral ivermectin, topical permethrin or its combination at a government tertiary hospital dermatology outpatient clinic from December 2022 to September 2023. Semi-structured interviews were used as the primary source of data and analyzed together with chart reviews, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores, and clinical images. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and triangulated with other secondary data. A three-person research team employed a reflexive and iterative process of familiarization, coding, and thematic analysis using a modified Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) to generate case descriptions, within-case analyses, and cross-case syntheses.

The acceptability of scabies treatments (permethrin, ivermectin, and combination therapy) was generally positive. Permethrin, used in three patient cases, was generally perceived as effective but itch relief varied. The burden of whole-body application of permethrin was context-dependent, influenced by living arrangements and family support. Perceived affordability of permethrin was linked to socioeconomic status. Ivermectin, used by one patient case, was perceived as highly effective with no side effects. Its single dose use did not interfere with patient routine. Combination therapy was also considered effective but potential antagonistic effects and the cost of adding permethrin made it less preferred. Reluctance in taking oral pills was noted. All patients valued medical advice and deferred to their physicians for treatment decisions.

All three treatment options were considered effective and safe. Patients generally preferred permethrin over oral ivermectin due to its topical nature and perceived lower side effects. However, affordability and logistical challenges, especially for large households and low-income families, were noted with permethrin. Oral ivermectin elicited hesitation due to its controversial role in COVID-19 and veterinary use. Concerns about added costs and potential antagonism in combination therapy were raised. Despite these considerations, patients ultimately relied on physicians for treatment decisions. This study underscores the importance of understanding patient perspectives, experiences, and the patient-physician relationship in choosing scabies interventions. Addressing patient concerns, providing education, and ensuring ease of use and affordability can enhance treatment acceptability and adherence for better outcomes.

Bimaxillary hyperhypodontia (BHH) is a very rare numeric anomaly with a prevalence of 0.002% to 3.1% described by the presence of a supernumerary tooth in the premaxilla region and a missing mandibular incisor tooth. This case highlights the multidisciplinary management of a child presenting with BHH who complies with the recommended protocol by surgically removing the supernumerary tooth and then proceeding with orthodontic treatment for function and aesthetics. A 9-year-old healthy Malay boy presented with a fully erupted tooth 21, a labially palpable bulge of unerupted tooth 11, a missing tooth 32, and a tendency for an anterior and posterior crossbite. The radiographs showed an inverted, unerupted, conical-shaped supernumerary tooth overlapping the unerupted tooth 11 and hypodontia of tooth 32. The management was surgical removal of the supernumerary tooth and the placement of an upper removable appliance with a palatal expansion screw followed by comprehensive fixed orthodontics.
Case Reports [Publication Type]

OBJECTIVE: Clinical characteristics and outcome in COVID-19 with brucellosis patients has not been well demonstrated, we tried to analyze clinical outcome in local and literature COVID-19 cases with brucellosis before and after recovery. METHODS: We retrospectively collected hospitalization data of comorbid patients and prospectively followed up after discharge in Heilongjiang Infectious Disease Hospital from January 15, 2020 to April 29, 2022. Demographics, epidemiological, clinical symptoms, radiological and laboratory data, treatment medicines and outcomes, and follow up were analyzed, and findings of a systematic review were demonstrated. RESULTS: A total of four COVID-19 with brucellosis patients were included. One patient had active brucellosis before covid and 3 patients had nonactive brucellosis before brucellosis. The median age was 54.5 years, and all were males (100.0%). Two cases (50.0%) were moderate, and one was mild and asymptomatic, respectively. Three cases (75.0%) had at least one comorbidity (brucellosis excluded). All 4 patients were found in COVID-19 nucleic acid screening. Case C and D had only headache and fever on admission, respectively. Four cases were treated with Traditional Chinese medicine, western medicines for three cases, no adverse reaction occurred during hospitalization. All patients were cured and discharged. Moreover, one case (25.0%) had still active brucellosis without re-positive COVID-19, and other three cases (75.0%) have no symptoms of discomfort except one case fell fatigue and anxious during the follow-up period after recovery. Conducting the literature review, two similar cases have been reported in two case reports, and were both recovered, whereas, no data of follow up after recovery. CONCLUSION These cases indicate that COVID-19 patients with brucellosis had favorable outcome before and after recovery. More clinical studies should be conducted to confirm our findings.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Brucellosis ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome ; Case Reports as Topic

The objective of this clinical report is to present the first local case of rare cavernous uterine hemangioma. This is a case of a 28‑year‑old G2P1 (1001) during her first trimester of pregnancy who was admitted to our institution for the second time due to profuse vaginal bleeding and severe anemia. The transvaginal scan revealed an embryonic demise of 8 weeks age of gestation noted at the endocervical canal. There is a posterofundal heterogeneous mass measuring 6.3 cm × 5.7 cm × 5.0 cm (volume: 94.2 ml) with multiple cystic spaces, which on Doppler studies showed abundant vascularity suggestive of uterine hemangioma. Antifibrinolytics were administered. The patient underwent emergency hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy due to profuse vaginal bleeding with histopathology result of cavernous hemangioma of the uterus. Cavernous uterine hemangioma is a rare vascular lesion that poses a great challenge in the diagnosis and management. There were limited published articles regarding cavernous hemangioma of the uterus. There were conservative treatment options such as uterine artery embolization, the use of hormonal oral contraception, intralesional glucocorticoid therapy, the use of interferon‑α, laser therapy, and surgical excision. Hysterectomy is the definitive treatment for intractable bleeding. It is recommended to establish an international registry for this rare case. The experts in different specialties such as obstetrician‑gynecologists, interventional radiologists, and vascular surgeons, can also formulate an algorithm for its diagnosis and treatment.
Case Reports ; Hemangioma ; Vascular Malformations

Background: The coronavirus disease, also known as COVID-19, is a highly contagious disease caused by a new strain of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Medical technologists, along with doctors and nurses, are also heroes in the fight against the virus as they risk their own health in order to collect and analyze specimens for the diagnosis of the disease. However, they face numerous challenges along the way. Objectives: This study aimed to better understand the difficulties of medical technologists assigned to collect COVID-19 specimen in tertiary hospitals or laboratories in Metro Manila, Philippines. Methodology: Utilizing the qualitative case study design, the researchers interviewed 14 medical technologists and examined the data according to Colaizzi's method which consisted of grouping and categorizing relevant remarks before formulating themes. Findings: The researchers were able to formulate the following themes: (1) patient-related challenges, namely, attitude, age, health status, and communication; (2) physical challenges, namely, fatigue, work hours, number of patients, and the use of personal protective equipment; (3) environmental challenges, namely, collection setting, temperature, and exposure to the virus; (4) resource challenges, namely, supplies and human resources; and (5) psychological challenges, namely, fear, anxiety, and emotional fatigue. Conclusion The study was able to analyze the obstacles faced by COVID-19 specimen collectors in order to give a means of hearing from and comprehending their viewpoints. This shows the importance of performing regular reviews of healthcare workers to ensure their safety. Medical technologists and their supervisors should be able to communicate effectively in order to improve current standards and procedures.
Medical Laboratory Personnel ; COVID-19 ; Specimen Handling ; Case Reports