BACKGROUND

Continuing Medical Education (CME) serves as a cornerstone for maintaining clinical competence and improving patient care. In the Philippines, CME has become increasingly digital, with the UP Med Webinars emerging as a leading platform for physician education over the past decade. Despite this growth, there has been limited evaluation of how well these webinars align with national health priorities, particularly those reflected in PhilHealth hospital admissions and claims data, which provide insights into the country's disease burden and healthcare utilization patterns.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the extent to which the topics and reach of UP Med Webinars correspond with the Philippine health system’s most pressing clinical demands. Specifically, it aimed to analyze the trend in number of webinars by year; analyze the distribution of webinar topics by medical field; assess physician attendance as a proxy for clinical interest and engagement; evaluate the alignment between UP Med Webinar content and national health priorities based on PhilHealth’s top conditions, procedures, and reimbursed claims.

METHODS

The study used a qualitative content analysis of all Continuing Professional Development (CPD)-accredited UP Med Webinars from 2015 to 2024, supported by descriptive statistics. Webinar titles were coded thematically and categorized by topic and medical field. Attendance figures were analyzed to identify high-demand topics. These results were compared with PhilHealth Claims Reports (2020–2024), focusing on the top reimbursed medical diagnoses and procedures, to assess alignment with disease burden and health service delivery trends. These findings can help inform strategic planning for CME programs to ensure they remain responsive to the country's evolving public health needs.

RESULTS

From 2015 to 2024, a total of 686 CPDaccredited UP Med Webinars were conducted, attended by 685,994 participants. The annual number of webinars and attendees steadily increased, peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022) with heightened demand for virtual CME and pandemic-related topics. Internal Medicine consistently emerged as the most frequently covered field, accounting for 54.1% of webinars and 48.8% of total attendance, followed by Obstetrics and Gynecology (14.4% of webinars; 19.6% of attendance) and Pharmacotherapeutics (6.0% of webinars; 6.9% of attendance). Certain fields, including COVID-19 and Psychiatry, attracted disproportionately high attendance despite fewer sessions, indicating strong interest during periods of public health urgency. The top 10 webinar topics included Diabetes, Pregnancy, Cancer, Hypertension, Reproductive Health, COVID-19, Heart Disease, Antimicrobial Treatment, Vertigo, and Vaccination, reflecting a mix of chronic disease management, maternal health, infectious diseases, and emergent health concerns.

Comparison with PhilHealth claims data (2020– 2024) revealed a high disease burden in Internal Medicine, Obstetrics, and Pediatrics, with top medical conditions including Pneumonia, Dengue, Hypertensive emergencies, and Stroke. These findings indicate a strong alignment between the most covered webinar topics and national healthcare utilization trends, particularly in high-burden clinical areas.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that the UP Med Webinars have generally aligned with national health priorities, as indicated by PhilHealth claims data, particularly in highburden fields such as Internal Medicine and Obstetrics. However, gaps in coverage for certain high-priority conditions and procedures point to opportunities for more inclusive and data-driven CME planning. Aligning CME content with evolving health system needs can enhance its relevance, support clinical practice improvements, and ultimately contribute to better population health outcomes in the Philippines.

Education, Medical, Continuing ; Medicine ; Health Priorities

Objective: To study the influence of bracket base meshes on shear bond strength and observe them using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after debonding. Methods: Ninety brackets were divided into nine groups of 10 samples each: G1-Alexander, G2-Mini Sprint® Brackets, G3-In-Ovation R CCO,  G4-Gemini SL Self-Ligating Bracket, G5-Classic mini 2G Stylus® , G6-Gemini Metal Brackets, G7-ClarityTM Advanced, G8-Crystall-Ize® , and G9-Ceramic Series Flexx 2G® . Groups G1 to G6 and G7 to G9 consisted of metallic and aesthetic brackets, respectively. Initial photographs of all brackets were taken through SEM at 25X magnification. The brackets were then bonded to premolars using TransbondTM XT, and a shear bond strength test was conducted after 24 hours using an Instron machine at 1 mm/min. After debonding, the bracket meshes were observed using SEM. Results: Before bonding, 72.22% of brackets didn’t present mesh defects, while 27.77% did. SEM analysis revealed that G4 and G5 presented defects in 100%, G7 in 40%, and G8 in 10%. The average shear bond strength of 9.67 ± 2.84 MPa and 11.21 ± 4.99 MPa were obtained for both metallic and aesthetic brackets, respectively. A Pairwise–Wilcoxon test with Benjamini–Hochberg correction was conducted to determine specific statistical differences between the groups, revealing significant differences based on bracket type and shear bond strength (P < 0.009). Conclusions This study suggested that the shape of bracket meshes influenced shear bond strength.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if there is a difference in the prevalence of abnormal spirometry in female adult residents of OLBAC who have significant and nonsignificant exposure to biomass fuel smoke

METHODS

A convenience sample of 54 adult female residents of OLBAC in San Mateo, Rizal, will be recruited in this analytical cross-sectional study. After enrollment, they will undergo a single spirometry procedure to determine their lung function status. The primary data to be collected from the experimental groups are FEV1, FVC and FEV1/ FVC ratio. The data will undergo descriptive and inferential analysis, and the lung function variable will be analyzed with logistic regression to account for confounding variables.

EXPECTED RESULTS

The descriptive data analysis will determine the mean values of lung function parameters (FEV1 and FVC) where long exposures may lead to an abnormal FVC compared to short or no exposure. The results in the inferential analysis may indicate a negative association between length of biomass fuel exposure and percentage predicted FVC among the sample, suggesting that more prolonged exposure to biomass fuel increases the risk of impaired lung function.

CONCLUSION

 

Human ; Female ; Adult: 25-44 Yrs Old ; Young Adult: 19-24 Yrs Old ; Adult ; Biomass ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Female ; Logistic Models ; Regression (psychology) ; Smoke ; Volition ; World Health Organization ; Spirometry

Background/Aims: Colorectal cancer prevention relies on surveillance colonoscopy, with the adenoma detection rate as a key factor in examination quality. Linked color imaging (LCI) enhances lesion contrast and improves the examination performance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of LCI on adenoma detection rate in adults who underwent colonoscopy. Methods: We searched the Medline, PubMed, BIREME, LILACS, and Scientific Electronic Library Online databases for randomized controlled trials comparing the use of LCI versus white light imaging (WLI), published up to March 2023. The outcomes included lesion characteristics, number of adenomas per patient, and the additional polyp detection rate. Results: Sixteen studies were included in the analysis, which showed that LCI was more accurate than WLI in detecting adenomas, with an increased number of adenomas detected per patient. Although LCI performed well in terms of lesion size, morphology, and location, the subgroup analyses did not reveal any statistically significant differences between LCI and WLI. The addition of LCI did not result in significant improvements in the detection of serrated lesions, and there were no differences in the withdrawal time between groups. Conclusions LCI has been shown to be effective in detecting colonic lesions, improving the number of adenomas detected per patient and improving polyp detection rate without negatively affecting other quality criteria in colonoscopy.

The liver hanging maneuver (LHM), introduced by Belghiti et al. in 2001, has been widely adapted to various hepatectomy techniques to reduce blood loss and facilitate parenchymal transection. However, its primary limitation is the risk of vascular injury, particularly near the inferior vena cava (IVC). In this report, we describe a modified “Loop-Hanging” maneuver designed as an alternative to enhance exposure during parenchymal transection and improve the control of Glissonean pedicles. In this case, we employed the technique during an open right hemihepatectomy on a 47-year-old male patient with a complex bile duct injury following two unsuccessful Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomies (RYHJ). The patient was referred to our institution due to an RYHJ stricture. Imaging identified a right hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm and a fistula to the biliary limb. After two failed attempts at endovascular embolization, a surgical approach was determined through multidisciplinary discussions. During the surgery, the liver was looped with a nasogastric tube positioned anterior to the IVC, allowing gentle upward traction that facilitated the transection, minimized bleeding, and enhanced pedicle control. The LHM is known to reduce blood loss but carries risks for patients with anatomical variations, scarring, or cirrhosis.Our “Loop-Hanging” technique retains the core advantages of LHM, simplifies the process, and diminishes the risk of vascular injury.Further research is required to assess its safety and broader applicability.

Background: Penile Cancer is a rare and aggressive disease. Related to complex metabolic processes. Objective: This study investigates the effectiveness ­of 18F-FDG PET/CT as a noninvasive method in evaluating penile cancer patients, focusing on the correlation between tissue expression of key tumor markers involved in glucose metabolism and proliferation, and the uptake of 18F-FDG. Methods: Fifty-one patients were selected and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT-based staging. Semiquantitative analysis wasperformed using the maximum standardized uptake value ­(SUVmax ) and volumetric SUV ­(SUV2SD ). Tissue expressionanalysis of GLUT-1, hexokinase-II, Ki67, p16, and p53 was performed by tissue microarray. PCR evaluated HPV DNA. Results: Warty SCC showed the highest SUV value and significant differences in ­SUVmax (p=0.015). Higher ­SUVmax and SUV2SD values were observed in grade 3 tumors. In typical invasive SCC, grade 3, HPV+, p16-negative, p53-negative,GLUT-1 i-3, and HK-II i-3 tumors showed a higher mean SUV. The Ki-67 value significantly differed for grade 3 tumors (p=0.001) and HK-II i-1 tumors (p=0.036). Ki-67 positivity was also higher in HPV-, p16 i-2, p53 i-3, and GLUT-1 i-3 tumors; none of the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions The study highlights correlations between the uptake of 18F-FDG and the expression of markers associated with glycolytic metabolism in penile cancer. It suggests a potential trend where increased expression of glucose transport markers is linked to higher histological grades and Ki-67 expression. There were no significant differences regarding HPV positivity, demonstrating the complexity of penile cancer molecular biology and need more studies with a higher number of patients.

Objective: To study the influence of bracket base meshes on shear bond strength and observe them using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after debonding. Methods: Ninety brackets were divided into nine groups of 10 samples each: G1-Alexander, G2-Mini Sprint® Brackets, G3-In-Ovation R CCO,  G4-Gemini SL Self-Ligating Bracket, G5-Classic mini 2G Stylus® , G6-Gemini Metal Brackets, G7-ClarityTM Advanced, G8-Crystall-Ize® , and G9-Ceramic Series Flexx 2G® . Groups G1 to G6 and G7 to G9 consisted of metallic and aesthetic brackets, respectively. Initial photographs of all brackets were taken through SEM at 25X magnification. The brackets were then bonded to premolars using TransbondTM XT, and a shear bond strength test was conducted after 24 hours using an Instron machine at 1 mm/min. After debonding, the bracket meshes were observed using SEM. Results: Before bonding, 72.22% of brackets didn’t present mesh defects, while 27.77% did. SEM analysis revealed that G4 and G5 presented defects in 100%, G7 in 40%, and G8 in 10%. The average shear bond strength of 9.67 ± 2.84 MPa and 11.21 ± 4.99 MPa were obtained for both metallic and aesthetic brackets, respectively. A Pairwise–Wilcoxon test with Benjamini–Hochberg correction was conducted to determine specific statistical differences between the groups, revealing significant differences based on bracket type and shear bond strength (P < 0.009). Conclusions This study suggested that the shape of bracket meshes influenced shear bond strength.

Background: Penile Cancer is a rare and aggressive disease. Related to complex metabolic processes. Objective: This study investigates the effectiveness ­of 18F-FDG PET/CT as a noninvasive method in evaluating penile cancer patients, focusing on the correlation between tissue expression of key tumor markers involved in glucose metabolism and proliferation, and the uptake of 18F-FDG. Methods: Fifty-one patients were selected and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT-based staging. Semiquantitative analysis wasperformed using the maximum standardized uptake value ­(SUVmax ) and volumetric SUV ­(SUV2SD ). Tissue expressionanalysis of GLUT-1, hexokinase-II, Ki67, p16, and p53 was performed by tissue microarray. PCR evaluated HPV DNA. Results: Warty SCC showed the highest SUV value and significant differences in ­SUVmax (p=0.015). Higher ­SUVmax and SUV2SD values were observed in grade 3 tumors. In typical invasive SCC, grade 3, HPV+, p16-negative, p53-negative,GLUT-1 i-3, and HK-II i-3 tumors showed a higher mean SUV. The Ki-67 value significantly differed for grade 3 tumors (p=0.001) and HK-II i-1 tumors (p=0.036). Ki-67 positivity was also higher in HPV-, p16 i-2, p53 i-3, and GLUT-1 i-3 tumors; none of the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions The study highlights correlations between the uptake of 18F-FDG and the expression of markers associated with glycolytic metabolism in penile cancer. It suggests a potential trend where increased expression of glucose transport markers is linked to higher histological grades and Ki-67 expression. There were no significant differences regarding HPV positivity, demonstrating the complexity of penile cancer molecular biology and need more studies with a higher number of patients.

Background: Penile Cancer is a rare and aggressive disease. Related to complex metabolic processes. Objective: This study investigates the effectiveness ­of 18F-FDG PET/CT as a noninvasive method in evaluating penile cancer patients, focusing on the correlation between tissue expression of key tumor markers involved in glucose metabolism and proliferation, and the uptake of 18F-FDG. Methods: Fifty-one patients were selected and underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT-based staging. Semiquantitative analysis wasperformed using the maximum standardized uptake value ­(SUVmax ) and volumetric SUV ­(SUV2SD ). Tissue expressionanalysis of GLUT-1, hexokinase-II, Ki67, p16, and p53 was performed by tissue microarray. PCR evaluated HPV DNA. Results: Warty SCC showed the highest SUV value and significant differences in ­SUVmax (p=0.015). Higher ­SUVmax and SUV2SD values were observed in grade 3 tumors. In typical invasive SCC, grade 3, HPV+, p16-negative, p53-negative,GLUT-1 i-3, and HK-II i-3 tumors showed a higher mean SUV. The Ki-67 value significantly differed for grade 3 tumors (p=0.001) and HK-II i-1 tumors (p=0.036). Ki-67 positivity was also higher in HPV-, p16 i-2, p53 i-3, and GLUT-1 i-3 tumors; none of the differences were statistically significant. Conclusions The study highlights correlations between the uptake of 18F-FDG and the expression of markers associated with glycolytic metabolism in penile cancer. It suggests a potential trend where increased expression of glucose transport markers is linked to higher histological grades and Ki-67 expression. There were no significant differences regarding HPV positivity, demonstrating the complexity of penile cancer molecular biology and need more studies with a higher number of patients.

Objective: To study the influence of bracket base meshes on shear bond strength and observe them using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after debonding. Methods: Ninety brackets were divided into nine groups of 10 samples each: G1-Alexander, G2-Mini Sprint® Brackets, G3-In-Ovation R CCO,  G4-Gemini SL Self-Ligating Bracket, G5-Classic mini 2G Stylus® , G6-Gemini Metal Brackets, G7-ClarityTM Advanced, G8-Crystall-Ize® , and G9-Ceramic Series Flexx 2G® . Groups G1 to G6 and G7 to G9 consisted of metallic and aesthetic brackets, respectively. Initial photographs of all brackets were taken through SEM at 25X magnification. The brackets were then bonded to premolars using TransbondTM XT, and a shear bond strength test was conducted after 24 hours using an Instron machine at 1 mm/min. After debonding, the bracket meshes were observed using SEM. Results: Before bonding, 72.22% of brackets didn’t present mesh defects, while 27.77% did. SEM analysis revealed that G4 and G5 presented defects in 100%, G7 in 40%, and G8 in 10%. The average shear bond strength of 9.67 ± 2.84 MPa and 11.21 ± 4.99 MPa were obtained for both metallic and aesthetic brackets, respectively. A Pairwise–Wilcoxon test with Benjamini–Hochberg correction was conducted to determine specific statistical differences between the groups, revealing significant differences based on bracket type and shear bond strength (P < 0.009). Conclusions This study suggested that the shape of bracket meshes influenced shear bond strength.