BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Residency satisfaction is an important indicator of training quality and may influence physician well-being and performance. Surgical trainees are generally reported to have lower satisfaction compared to other specialties. This study assessed satisfaction among urology residents in the Philippines and evaluated a structured questionnaire for measuring training experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among residents in accredited urology programs (2024-2024-5). A 12-domain Likert-scale questionnaire was developed and validated. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed. Satisfaction scores were analyzed overall and across subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 106 residents participated. The instrument demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.870) and strong test-retest reliability (r = 0.896). Overall satisfaction was high (52.41 5.4/60). Clinical exposure was the highest-rated domain, while work-life balance was the lowest. No significant differences were observed by gender, training year, or institution type. Key areas for improvement were case exposure and academic learning.

CONCLUSION

Urology residents in the Philippines report high overall satisfaction. The validated questionnaire is reliable and useful for assessing multidimensional aspects of residency training. Improvements in case exposure, academic support, and work-life balance may further enhance training quality.

Human ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Internship And Residency

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted education worldwide, prompting a rapid shift to emergency remote teaching that challenged students’ learning and mental health. Nursing students, in particular, faced heightened pressures due to the suspension or online adaptation of essential clinical experiences, alongside the need to master theoretical and practical competencies. Emerging evidence indicates that such stressors adversely affect students’ emotional and psychological well-being, potentially influencing academic outcomes. Understanding the relationship between mental health and academic performance among nursing students is crucial for developing targeted interventions that support their well-being and professional readiness.

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed the mental health status and academic performance of graduating nursing students during the challenging period of remote learning amid the pandemic in a government school in Leyte.

METHODS

The study utilized a descriptive correlational design to explore the relationships between mental health status and academic performance among nursing students. A modified self-administered questionnaire was utilized to gather data. Ethical approval from Eastern Visayas Health Research and Development ConsortiumEthics Review with ERC number 2023-024 was secured, and data collection occurred through various methods. Data analysis used SPSS version 24, emphasizing the importance of understanding these relationships in educational settings.

RESULTS

The study assessed the demographic profile, online learning attributes, mental health status, and academic performance of 20 nursing students during the pandemic. All students passed their courses, despite reporting moderate emotional loneliness and irritability, but minimal fear of COVID-19. Significant correlations were found between demographic factors and mental health indicators. The null hypothesis, suggesting no relationship between demographic factors and mental health, is void, as significant associations were identified. Recommendations include enhancing mental health support in nursing education to address these challenges.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the experiences of 20 nursing students from a government college in Leyte during the COVID-19 pandemic. Predominantly young women from rural, low-income backgrounds, these students faced challenges like poor internet access but successfully completed their academic requirements, showcasing resilience. While they reported low fear of COVID-19, moderate emotional loneliness and irritability indicated underlying mental health issues. The findings stress the need for educational institutions to provide mental health support and address the digital divide to enhance student well-being and success.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Statistics As Topic ; Psychological Well-being ; Indicators And Reagents ; Students, Nursing ; Suspensions ; Academic Performance ; Learning ; Pandemics ; Nursing ; Education, Nursing ; Covid-19 ; Mental Health

This study explores the impact of perceived stress on the academic performance of orthopaedic surgery residents in the Philippines. Conducted as a cross-sectional investigation, it involved 126 residents who participated in the 2024 Philippine Board of Orthopaedics In-Service Training Examination (ITE). Stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), while ITE scores served as the measure of academic performance. A significant negative correlation was identified between stress and academic performance (r = -0.3138, p = 0.00010). Residents experiencing high stress achieved lower scores (55.2%) compared to those with low to moderate stress (61.8%). Other demographic variables such as sex, age, marital status and type of training institution (public and private) were not significantly associated with stress level findings. On the other hand, key factors contributing to elevated stress included insufficient sleep (0–4 hours nightly; OR = 5.83, p = 0.0289) and limited awareness of mental health issues (OR = 13.34, p = 0.0014). These results highlight the pressing need for stress reduction initiatives, improved mental health education and strategies to address challenges posed by sleep deprivation and extensive work hours. This study provides a foundation for improving both academic outcomes and overall well-being in residency programs.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; World Health Organization ; Sleep Deprivation ; Internship And Residency ; Health Education ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Marital Status

OBJECTIVES

This study explored the interplay of three Filipino cultural values—hiya (modesty/self-restraint), pakikisama (conflict-avoidance dimension of social harmony), and pakikipag-ugnayan (professional engagement, characterized by vigor, dedication, and absorption)—among Generation Z nurses in Quezon City. Specifically, it assessed their levels, examined interrelationships through correlation and path analysis, and developed a framework to illustrate their influence on nursing practice. In the Filipino context, hiya encompasses both positive dimensions, such as conscientiousness, moral accountability, and social responsibility, and constraining dimensions, including excessive self-restraint, fear of criticism, and inhibition. Pakikisama, while fostering harmony, may discourage assertiveness and limit open communication. Pakikipag-ugnayan, conceptualized here as engagement, reflects dedication, vigor, and absorption, which are vital for performance, patient safety, and workforce retention.

METHODS

A descriptive–correlational design was utilized to assess the relationships among hiya, pakikisama, and pakikipag-ugnayan. Data were gathered through a structured, self-administered questionnaire comprising validated scales for each construct, distributed in online formats to accommodate participants’ availability and work schedules. The purposive sample consisted of 115 Filipino Generation Z nurses engaged in direct patient care in various healthcare facilities in Quezon City. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics to summarize variable scores, Spearman’s rho to examine bivariate correlations, and path analysis to determine the direct and indirect effects among the variables. The results of the path analysis were used to develop a proposed framework illustrating the interplay of these cultural values in nursing practice.

RESULTS

Path analysis revealed distinct patterns in the interplay of hiya, pakikisama, and pakikipag-ugnayan among Generation Z nurses in Quezon City. Very high hiya scores (mean = 5.32) reflected both moral accountability and restraint-oriented tendencies. Despite these positive indicators, hiya showed a negative correlation with pakikipag-ugnayan, suggesting that its inhibiting side—marked by fear of criticism and avoidance of mistakes—may overshadow its constructive moral aspects. In contrast, the path analysis identified a moderate positive direct effect between hiya and pakikipag-ugnayan (β = 0.400, pCONCLUSION

Among Generation Z nurses, hiya demonstrates a dual role: while its ethical and conscientious aspects can strengthen pakikipag-ugnayan, its inhibiting side may suppress pakikipag-ugnayan. Pakikisama, operationalized as conflict avoidance and withholding dissent, emerged as a barrier to pakikipag-ugnayan by discouraging open communication. These findings informed the development of the Hiya–Pakikisama– Pakikipag-ugnayan Cultural Dynamics Framework, which illustrates how cultural values can simultaneously enable and constrain professional engagement. The framework has potential applications in nursing education and organizational practice, particularly in designing reflective learning, mentorship, and communication strategies that balance cultural sensitivity with assertiveness. Further validation across generations and healthcare settings is recommended to refine its applicability.

Human ; Weights And Measures ; Sensitivity And Specificity ; Retention (psychology) ; Education, Nursing ; Social Responsibility ; Appointments And Schedules ; Conflict (psychology)

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, coping strategies, and willingness to go on duty in a COVID-referral hospital in Metro Manila among medical interns from March to April 2021.

METHODS

The study comprised medical interns selected via stratified random sampling and was conducted to meet the research objectives. Data were obtained through the Willingness to Go on Duty questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the Filipino Coping Strategies Scale. Descriptive and inferential analysis (chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation) of data was used in this study.

RESULTS

26.62%, 23.02%, and 13.67% of the 139 participants reported having severe to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Sociodemographic variables such as age, sex, internship classification, training/track, presence of comorbidities, and living arrangement were not associated with psychological distress, while the use of some coping strategies was associated with some of these variables. 85.61% of the medical students who participated in the study expressed willingness to go on duty in non-COVID areas, while only 43.88% were willing to go on duty in COVID areas. Most of the participants who are unwilling to report in non-COVID areas reported having symptoms of moderate to extremely severe depression based on their DASS-21 scores.

CONCLUSION

Coping strategies used by medical students in this tertiary COVID-19 hospital during the pandemic differed across demographic variables and may be a function of societal and cultural norms. The top reason for the willingness to go on duty regardless of area of assignment (COVID or non-COVID) is the need for clinical learning experience and skills development, while the main reason for their refusal is the fear of being exposed to or contracting COVID-19.

Human ; Female ; Internship And Residency ; World Health Organization ; Students, Medical ; Referral And Consultation ; Psychological Distress ; Track And Field

Nursing leadership and scholarship in the Philippines have evolved alongside the country's shifting socio-political and educational landscape. This feature article presents a first-person narrative of a nurse leader's journey from humble beginnings in Santiago, Isabela, to national and global leadership roles in education, regulation, and advocacy. This article aimed to illustrate how personal vocation, grounded in service and faith, can transform into professional leadership and scholarship that shape institutions, influence policy, and nurture future generations of Filipino nurses. Using autobiographical lens, I recounted formative experiences across clinical practice, education, administration, and regulation. These reflections are interwoven with leadership theories and scholarly evidence from global nursing literature that demonstrate how enduring principles such as servant leadership, integrity, resilience, compassion, and mentorship can guide professional practice. This narrative highlighted milestones such as pioneering collegiate nursing education at UERMMC, spearheading faculty and curricular reforms as Dean, championing ethical practice during the nursing licensure examination scandal, and advancing professional regulation through initiatives like the Career Progression and Specialization Program. It also underscored the role of resilience in overcoming personal affliction, the importance of mentorship in sustaining legacy, and the impact of integrity in safeguarding nursing's credibility. From the parable of the mustard seed to the reality of nation-building through nursing, this life story affirmed that leadership and scholarship are not individual achievements but collective legacies. By embracing lifelong learning, ethical practice and a commitment to national service, Filipino nurses can continue to grow as competent practitioners, compassionate caregivers, and visionary leaders who contribute to equitable and sustainable health systems. In telling this story, I also sought to situate my journey within the broader context of nursing leadership in the Philippines, where enduring challenges and emerging opportunities continue to call for vision, resilience, and integrity.

Human ; Scholarship ; Fellowships And Scholarships ; Resilience ; Resilience, Psychological ; Regulation ; Social Control, Formal ; Mentorships ; Mentors ; Education, Nursing ; Philippines

BACKGROUND

Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) in the Philippines has shifted perioperative training from numeric case quotas toward demonstrated competencies, with simulation increasingly used to address limited operating room (OR) exposure.

OBJECTIVE

This study determined the level of perioperative clinical performance among senior (4th year) nursing students and had also examined associations with four influencing domains: teaching–learning, interpersonal, student-related, and environmental.

METHODS

A descriptive–correlational study was conducted in AY 2023–2024 across higher education institutions in Eastern Visayas. A universal sample of 280 fourth-year BSN students who met minimum perioperative case requirements participated via online and paper surveys. Aresearcher-developed, expert-validated instrument that was anchored on CHED outcomes and PRC–BON guidelines was used to assess 11 competence domains in order to perceive influencing factors. Internal consistency was excellent (performance α = .987; factors α = .944). Descriptive statistics summarized competence; while Fisher’s Exact Test was used to assess associations (p < .05).

RESULTS

Competence was strongest in aseptic technique, patient safety, teamwork, documentation, and ethical–legal responsibilities. Lower ratings were noted for surgical skin preparation, anesthesia assistance, patient transport, medication safety, health education, and quality improvement. Among the four domains, only environmental factors (resources, workflow support, safety culture) were significantly associated with performance (Fisher’s Exact, p = .013).

CONCLUSION

Senior nursing students demonstrated strong technical and ethical perioperative competence but showed persistent gaps in less-frequent and higher-order competencies. Environmental supports in the OR decisively shaped performance. Programs should scale simulation for under-practiced tasks, strengthen mentorship, and explicitly integrate health education and quality improvement within perioperative training.

Human ; Learning ; Education ; Students, Nursing ; Mental Competency

Self-efficacy is central to effective academic nursing leadership since it influences decision-making, resilience, and organizational outcomes. This phenomenological study described the essence of leadership self-efficacy among nurse leaders in Philippine higher education institutions. Using Colaizzi's method, data was collected through semi-structured interviews (n=10) and one focus-group discussion (n = 8). Analysis yielded three interwoven essences: (1) Personal Capacities of a SelfEfficacious Leader (decisiveness, resilience, reflective composure), (2) Relational–Communicative Doing of Leadership (ethical consistency, collaboration, mentoring), and (3) Professional–Organizational Grounding (resource navigation, quality assurance, continuous learning). Recognition indicators of achieved self-efficacy included sustained goal attainment, composed decision-making, entrustment by stakeholders, reduced self-doubt, and ethical consistency. Findings suggested that academic nurse leaders' self-efficacy is a multi-dimensional structure rather than a linear developmental process. Implications were offered for leadership preparation, mentoring, and appraisal.

Human ; Nursing ; Leadership ; Education, Continuing ; Philippines

Spiritual care is recognized globally as an essential component of holistic nursing, however, in the Philippines it remains marginal and inconsistently practiced. Despite existing policies since 1984, affirming the nurse's responsibility to promote a spiritual environment, the absence of competency standards, curricular integration, institutional protocols, and evaluation mechanisms had left Filipino nurses ill-equipped to meet patients' spiritual needs. This gap undermines holistic care, weakens nurse–patient relationships, and perpetuates a biomedical focus at the expense of patient well-being.

This policy paper called for the development and adoption of a Philippine-specific, competency-based framework for spiritual care. Such a framework would translate abstract policy declarations into measurable practice by: (1) embedding clear competencies in nursing curricula and licensure examinations; (2) institutionalizing training, mentorship, and faculty development; (3) creating guidelines, tools, and referral systems for health facilities; and (4) integrating monitoring, evaluation, and research into quality assurance systems.

By aligning education, practice, and policy, this framework will normalize spiritual care as a professional nursing standard in order to enable Filipino nurses to deliver person-centered and culturally sensitive care, improve holistic health outcomes, and reaffirm the central role of spirituality in health and healing.

Human ; Philippines ; Nursing ; Spirituality ; Holistic Nursing ; Education, Nursing

BACKGROUND

In the Philippines, there are only around 6500 registered Family Medicine Physicians (www.pafp.org, 2023)1 which is only 4% of the registered physicians in the Philippines (www.prc.gov.ph, 2023)2. Factors that may help in increasing the graduates entering Family Medicine in the country have yet to be explored.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the factors that influenced the specialty choice of Family Medicine resident trainees

METHOD

This was an analytic cross-sectional study conducted among 136 Family Medicine Residents in the Philippines from June to August 2024 using a validated, investigator-made online questionnaire

RESULTS

The following are the most influential factors in entering FM specialty: importance of FM to Philippine Healthcare (1.14±.355), provision for continuity of care (1.19±.435), long-term bond with patients (1.16±.389), more influence in patients (1.21±.445), advantage in rural work (1.31±.553) and work-life balance (1.47±.631), plan to set up a rural clinic (1.31±.512), sparking of interest in the training after a community immersion (1.46±.543,) and opportunity to manage the family (1.32±.556).

Factors which included age (p .173 > .05), sex (p .847 > .05), civil status (p .833 > .05), rural background (p .347 > .05), parent-doctor (p .731 > .05), medical school (p .171 > .05) and place of internship (p .278 > .05) did not significantly influence the decision to enter family medicine.

CONCLUSION

This study identified several factors that significantly influenced, both positively and negatively, the decision to choose FM specialty in the Philippines. These findings represent a challenge for FM Physicians and medical schools, as these factors may be further studied and applied to increase the number of licensed physicians entering the specialty. Improvements may include emphasizing and enhancing basic medical education and foundation courses related to these topics.

Human ; Residency ; Internship And Residency