BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Mouth retractors are essential in ensuring efficient yet safe exposure of the oral cavity and oropharynx. However, when applied improperly or haphazardly, retractors can cause tissue injuries and compromise patient safety. In addition, there are gaps in the usability of existing designs. This study aimed to identify the issues encountered by otorhinolaryngology surgeons in the use of commercially available mouth retractors, design and fabricate an improved retractor, and explore the use of additive manufacturing (popularly known as 3D printing) for retractor prototyping.

The study used the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) Design Control as its framework. End-user requirements from otorhinolaryngologists were collected through key informant interviews. Results were organized into a Design Input template which was used to guide the design and development process. Prototype designs were iteratively created using computer-aided design software and 3D printing. Once design specifications were satisfied, a beta prototype was fabricated and given to another cohort of otorhinolaryngologists. The participants assessed the usability of the beta prototype. System Usability Scale (SUS) was used to quantify participant's feedback.

Five designs were created in the course of the study. The final prototype was fabricated using a Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printer. Several features were developed to address user requirements. The primary modification was to make the retractor modular to facilitate easier and shorter mounting and assembly. Gingival injury was addressed with the replacement of the maxillary alveolus hook with support bars. Five participants evaluated the beta prototype which received a mean SUS score of 75, well above the 50th percentile threshold.

This study demonstrates the applicability of the US FDA Design Control Process in the local setting to improve the mouth retractor design. Clinical and ergonomic issues were identified and design solutions were proposed and some have been implemented in a low-fidelity prototype. Results of the small-scale usability test suggest that the present form factor can be the basis for further iterations. Future studies can implement the proposed features to address other clinical and ergonomic needs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Proper documentation of patient safety events is important to be able to provide changes that can prevent events from occurring again. The Philippine General Hospital launched an online platform for reporting patient safety events in 2017. This paper aimed to describe the patient safety events, initial response to the event, and preventive actions done in the institution.

This is a retrospective descriptive study of patient safety event records from August 2017 to April 2022. General data of the patients, details surrounding the events, response to the event, and preventive measures done after the event were documented. Descriptive analysis was performed.

There was a total of 625 events reported with 525 total unique reports. There was an increased rate of patient safety event reports from 2021 to 2022. The average rate was 23.8 and 25.7 reports per month, respectively. Most reports were for in-patient cases and were type 3 preventable adverse events. The general initial response of healthcare personnel to the adverse events is to provide the appropriate clinical care. Preventive measures include re-orientation and event specific actions.

Documentation is crucial for patient safety events to provide solutions and prevent reoccurrence of these events that can cause harm to patients.

Medical students need the basic skills and techniques in family counseling to holistically manage a family. E-learning as a mode of teaching family counseling was experienced by medical students due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a case series of ten medical students in a tertiary training hospital who described their thoughts and feelings about the e-learning platform used. A focused group discussion composed of seven students was conducted independently. The students’ perceptions on the use of e-learning were generally negative in nature. The volume of online learning materials to be studied and the poor-quality videos reflected the sudden shift to e-learning due to the pandemic. Limitations on the e-learning format resulted in the inability to recognize non-verbal gestures which was crucial in counseling. The poor internet connectivity within the students’ learning environment was a hindering factor as it prolonged the counseling. Positive perception was mainly due to the effectiveness of the instructor in teaching online family counseling. The adeptness in navigating online platforms and guidance to students during the demo-returndemo resulted in the achievement of the expected outcomes of the workshop. The high preference to face-to-face mode may be attributed to the number of negative perceptions by the students.

Human ; Education, Medical ; Education

BACKGROUND

Proficiency in performing thoracentesis is a key competency recommended in the Medical Schools Objective Project (MSOP) adopted by the American Association of Medical Colleges, USA, that medical students should possess prior to graduation, although they often do not practice it clinically until the later stages of their training. Thiel-embalmed cadavers, which offer a lifelike experience with less irritation than formalin-preserved cadavers, have been increasingly used as early as 1st year medical school to teach such procedures because of their feel-like and look-like real patients. There are no studies on the use of Thiel- cadavers for simulated thoracentesis among medical students in the Philippines.

To evaluate the attitudes and perceptions of medical students on the use of Thiel-soft embalmed cadavers for simulated thoracentesis as to the understanding of thoracic anatomy, overall learning experience, and confidence in performing the procedure in the cadaver and possibly in the clinical setting.

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study among Learning Unit III medical students in the University of the Philippines conducted from June 13 to 17, 2022. In the final station of the Organ System Course 205 of the Department of Anatomy's LEAP II program, a simulated thoracentesis procedure was set up using a Thiel-preserved cadaver with artificially created pleural effusion. After watching and studying thoracic anatomy, watching a video on how thoracentesis was performed by a general surgeon, students performed the procedure, and were asked to answer a 6-question Likert-scale survey to assess their perceptions and attitudes of the simulation procedure. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Most of the students strongly agreed that practicing thoracentesis on the soft cadaver has improved their understanding of the anatomical basis of doing thoracentesis (97%) and of the steps of the procedure (94.9%). Similarly, when asked about how they felt doing the simulated thoracentesis, almost all (98%) strongly agreed that it was an enjoyable and stimulating learning experience. Majority strongly agreed (68%) that they felt capable doing the procedure on a soft cadaver against less than half (38.4%) feeling capable of doing it in the clinical setting. Almost all (97%) strongly agreed that simulated thoracentesis on a soft-embalmed cadaver should be part of the learning competencies of medical students because of the skills they learn by doing the procedure.

Integrating a simulated thoracentesis using a Thiel-preserved cadaver early in the course of a student’s medical education, provided students with a better understanding of the anatomy of the thoracic wall and the anatomical basis of doing this simulation procedure. Though confidence in performing the procedure in a soft cadaver is higher than in a clinical setting, the latter setting may need repeated training to further hone their skills. Practicing thoracentesis on soft-embalmed cadavers significantly enhanced medical students' understanding and enjoyment of the procedure. This innovative approach can be considered by anatomy educators as an integrative learning activity when teaching thoracic cage anatomy. This can also be extended to senior medical students and residents across different specialties.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the lack of traditional cadaveric dissection among first year medical students in Anatomy courses in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. The Learning Enhancement in Anatomy Program (LEAP) was implemented as a bridging program to enhance knowledge and understanding of gross anatomy and histology. As part of this program, a novel multi-strategy teaching method was conducted for the Integumentary and Musculoskeletal Anatomy Module.

This case study described a novel multi-strategy teaching method on Integumentary and Musculoskeletal anatomy for first year medical students which was done after the COVID-19 pandemic wherein there was a shortage of cadavers. By describing this multi-strategy teaching method, this case study aims to present a potential alternative teaching method in a situation where there is an unexpected shortage of human cadavers.

A retrospective review of documents related to this teaching method among first year medical students at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine was conducted from November 15, 2023, to January 15, 2024. The novel teaching method for the Integumentary and Musculoskeletal station was taught using five different methods: proctor demonstration, a prosected lower extremity with a self-directed manual, dissection education videos viewed on a large screen, skeletons for osteology, and individual light microscopes with a self-directed laboratory histology manual. We described the data and analyzed according to strengths and limitations, and formulated recommendations to improve the module.

The Integumentary and Musculoskeletal Module of the LEAP provided an interactive, hands-on experience in anatomy education. The five-pronged method facilitated a multifaceted approach to learning through cadaveric prosections, self-directed manuals, dissection videos, osteology exercises, and microscopic study. There was active engagement, overall positive student feedback, and increased post-test scores. However, certain limitations, such as the lack of direct cadaveric dissection, potential underutilization of histology components, and reliance on faculty guidance, highlight areas for improvement.

The Integumentary and Musculoskeletal Module of the LEAP has demonstrated significant strengths in enhancing anatomical education through a multimodal approach that fosters active learning, improves knowledge retention, and provides a structured curriculum adaptable to various resource constraints. Student feedback and test performance support the effectiveness of the module, particularly in gross anatomy. Addressing challenges in future iterations will be crucial in refining the program and expanding its applicability to different educational contexts. By building on its strengths and mitigating its weaknesses, this five-pronged method can continue to serve as a model for innovative and effective anatomy education. 

BACKGROUND

The University of the Philippines College of Medicine has been lauded for its research output, especially among faculty members. Research is also integrated in its curriculum for medical students in pursuit of “six-star physicians.” However, there has been no consolidated analysis on the outcomes of feedback collected from students.

The study aims to describe the perception of research education among medical students in Learning Units III to VII (LU III-VII) from academic year 2017-2018 to 2019-2020 in the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPCM).

Through a mixed-method descriptive design, students enrolled in the MD and MD-PHD program from LU III-VII of the UPCM were invited to participate in a survey. Furthermore, a review of the student research database and course evaluations were conducted.

A total of 197 student-initiated studies were conducted according to the college database, varying in types and approaches. However, only 4% of the registered research was published. Research-oriented courses were also rated highly among the medical students. This was consistent with positive attitudes towards research among the majority of participants. However, only 32.2% of the target sample size participated in the survey.

Participants of the survey had positive perceptions regarding their research education. However, there are several areas for improvement such as provision of grants, publication assistance, compliance with research registration, and mentorship in data analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

One of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical education is an increased awareness and use of social media (SocMed) to facilitate learning. However, literature on the use of SocMed in medical education has focused primarily on educator-led teaching activities. Our study aimed to describe SocMed initiatives that were student-led, particularly for information dissemination and peer collaborative learning, and to elicit perceptions of medical students towards such activities.

An online survey on SocMed usage in medical education was sent to all first- and second-year medical students at the University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine from October to December 2021. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, SocMed habits and preferences, and perceived advantages and disadvantages of SocMed. Descriptive statistics were calculated while the free-text responses were grouped into prominent themes and summarized.

We received a total of 258 responses (71%) out of 361 eligible participants. Overall, 74% found SocMed platforms to be very and extremely helpful; 88% recommended its continued use. The most popular SocMed platforms for different tasks were as follows: Discord for independent study groups and for conducting peer tutoring sessions; Facebook Messenger for reading reminders; Telegram for reading announcements related to academics and administrative requirements, and for accessing material provided by classmates and professors.

The high uptake of SocMed among medical students may be attributed to its accessibility and costefficiency. The use of a particular SocMed platform was dependent on the students’ needs and the platform's features. Students tended to use multiple SocMed platforms that complemented one another. SocMed also had disadvantages, such as the potential to distract from academic work and to become a source of fatigue. Educators must engage with students to understand how SocMed platforms can be integrated into medical education, whether in the physical or virtual learning environment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Mobile health applications have become integral in medical education and information access, yet their effectiveness varies, and barriers to engagement persist. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the usability and effectiveness of the Hypertension Now mHealth application in enhancing knowledge and guideline adherence among Family Medicine residents.

A before-and-after educational intervention study was conducted among residents of the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM), Philippine General Hospital, from January to August 2023. The study involved the development of a mobile health application, Hypertension Now, designed to support clinicians on hypertension management. Usability, knowledge scores, and adherence to guidelines were assessed through questionnaires, pre- and post-interventions, and medical chart audits.

All 32 DFCM residents participated. The app received high ratings for ease of use, interface, and overall satisfaction. It significantly increased residents' knowledge scores by 1.6 points (p=0.001). Adherence to proper physical examination (82% vs. 91%, p=0.024), diagnosis (80% vs. 90%, p=0.012), and pharmacologic treatment (53% vs. 83%, p=0.001) significantly improved. However, no significant increases were observed in adherence to risk assessment (83% vs. 78%, p=0.371), laboratory examination (35% vs. 40%, p=0.329), and non-pharmacologic treatment (77% vs. 81%, p=0.470).

This study showed the potential of mobile health tools to support medical education and enhance clinical practice in primary care settings. Integrating apps like Hypertension Now could improve management strategies and patient care outcomes.

Human ; Education, Medical, Continuing ; Philippines