Academic publishing is at a critical juncture. The challenges faced by the academics are mired in controversy. Among theseare three hotly debated concerns. First is the issue of whether technological innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI)improves research efficiency or if its use sacrifices research integrity.Another is the controversy between paywall publishingand open access. Lastly, adapting an appropriate business model for sustainability is a contentious issue and the choice betweena commercial or a university-based publishing platform is a difficult one.

Traditional models of scientific investigation relied on tedious intellectual calisthenics in all aspects of research —identifying research gaps, reviewing of published literature, devising valid methodology, collecting data, analysing results, and,finally, drawing conclusions. With the advent of powerful tools employing artificial intelligence, these heavy tasks are efficientlycarried out. The dilemma lies in determining which parts of the work can be attributed to the authors and which are ascribedto the output of large language models (LLMs) and other automated assistance employed.Despite requiring adequate vettingby experts of these AI-aided output, many in the scientific community still question these methods. Can research employingAI be considered honest work? Will full disclosure answer doubts as to the integrity of the scientific work?

Indeed, LLMs just gather information that is already out there, albeit more efficiently. After all, science progresses bystanding on the shoulder of giants. AI makes such work comprehensive and efficient. Standing on those proverbial shoulders,however, require access to prior work, hence our next challenge in academic publishing--open access versus paid access.Paywalls limit the benefits of valuable research to institutions and universities with the capacity to pay. Excluded from these arethose from low resourced countries, with nations from the global south being affected disproportionately. Additionally, whilenumerous authors appreciate the features of open access as it improves their impact and visibility, many feel unduly burdenedsince the cost of publishing in this format is passed on to them.

This brings us to our third issue: who bears the cost of academic publishing? Indeed, it is a lucrative industry, generatingan annual revenue of US$19 billion and an estimated 40 percent profit margin. Many, however, find fault in this businessmodel as concerns about the profit motives of the commercial publishers far overshadow their sustainability goals.

How do we navigate this landscape of controversies? We, at the ACTA, as part of the community of scholars, would needto clarify our mission. Our goals for this publication should be consistent with our values. These values, such as scientific rigor,integrity, and accountability, should be reflected in our policies. We should be cognizant of the role we play in national scientificdiscourse while we endeavor to make an impact in the global scene. We are accountable to our stakeholders — nurturingearly career scholars, supplying evidence to health policymakers, and being accountable to those who provide resources tosustain us. This stewardship is essential so that ACTA will stand shoulder to shoulder with the giants on which science buildsupon to benefit future generations.

Artificial Intelligence ; Commerce ; Costs And Cost Analysis ; Disclosure ; Drawing ; Efficiency ; Family Characteristics ; Forecasting ; Goals ; Gymnastics ; Health ; Health Resources ; Industry ; Intelligence ; Inventions ; Language ; Literature ; Methods ; Play And Playthings ; Policy ; Publications ; Publishing ; Research ; Residence Characteristics ; Role ; Science ; Shoulder ; Social Responsibility ; Universities ; Ursidae ; Volition ; Work ; World Health Organization

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed the factors influencing the implementation of the disability benefit package for children with developmental disabilities (CDDs) in the Philippines.

METHODS

Data collection was done through document review of policy documents and focused group discussions (FGDs). Guided by Walt and Gilson’s policy triangle framework, data were analyzed through content analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-two (22) policy documents were reviewed and a total of 16 participants joined the FGDs. Facilitators and barriers were identified and categorized through the policy elements: 1) context is anchored by presence of laws and policies but is hindered by issues on politics, governance, and labor force; 2) policy actors are hopeful in the continuous implementation of the policy but there is a lack of participation from all potential policy actors and limitations with human resources; 3) content is sound and comprehensive but there are costing issues and compliance concerns with requirements; and 4) processes emphasize quality assurance and promising initial dissemination efforts but the lack of stakeholder engagement activities and the tediousness of requirements discourage potential service providers.

CONCLUSION

While the launch of the disability benefit package for CDDs in the Philippines seemed promising, the policy remains underutilized as the identified barriers outweigh the facilitators. Specific recommendations for the improvement and implementation of the benefit package were outlined and framed based on the policy triangle framework.

Human ; Policy Analysis ; Policy Making ; Developmental Disabilities

OBJECTIVE

This study analyzed the factors influencing the implementation of the disability benefit package for children with developmental disabilities (CDDs) in the Philippines.

METHODS

Data collection was done through document review of policy documents and focused group discussions (FGDs). Guided by Walt and Gilson’s policy triangle framework, data were analyzed through content analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-two (22) policy documents were reviewed and a total of 16 participants joined the FGDs. Facilitators and barriers were identified and categorized through the policy elements: 1) context is anchored by presence of laws and policies but is hindered by issues on politics, governance, and labor force; 2) policy actors are hopeful in the continuous implementation of the policy but there is a lack of participation from all potential policy actors and limitations with human resources; 3) content is sound and comprehensive but there are costing issues and compliance concerns with requirements; and 4) processes emphasize quality assurance and promising initial dissemination efforts but the lack of stakeholder engagement activities and the tediousness of requirements discourage potential service providers.

CONCLUSION

While the launch of the disability benefit package for CDDs in the Philippines seemed promising, the policy remains underutilized as the identified barriers outweigh the facilitators. Specific recommendations for the improvement and implementation of the benefit package were outlined and framed based on the policy triangle framework.

Human ; Policy Analysis ; Policy Making ; Developmental Disabilities

Human ; Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Heart Arrest ; Policy ; Covid-19 ; Pandemics

Objective To investigate the key factors influencing the implementation of long-acting injection-promoting policies and propose effective improving paths.Methods Qualitative interviews were carried out for stakeholders involved in the promotion of long-acting injections,based on the consolidated framework for implementation research.Additionally,countermeasures for identified barriers were proposed based on expert recommendations for implementation changes.Results A total of 46 health administrators,healthcare workers,and patients in Beijing were interviewed.The study identified several barriers in the strength and quality of evidence,adaptability,relative advantage,complexity and cost,patient needs and resources,external collaboration,external policies and incentives,organizational structural characteristics,and self-efficacy.Conclusions From the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders,the promotion of long-acting injections has shown initial success but still faces multiple obstacles.It is recommended that efforts should be made to coordinate and adapt policies,improve and incentivize relative organizations,and continuously strengthen the advocacy and education for individuals.
Humans ; Beijing ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Health Personnel ; Health Policy ; Injections

Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest ; Heart Arrest ; Policy ; Covid-19 ; Pandemics

Health Policy ; Health ; Policy

Health management is highly complex due to interactions across multiple levels and factors. System dynamics model (SDM) offers a holistic perspective and a dynamic analytical framework for understanding such complex systems. It has been applied across various domains of health management, including psychological interventions, chronic disease management, rehabilitation, optimization of medical services, and health policy development. By identifying key factors and pathways influencing health behaviors, determining critical targets for interventions, conducting cost-benefit analyses and process optimization, and simulating the long-term effects of health policies, SDM provides quantitative support for decision-making from individual-level interventions to macro-level policies. This article reviews the application of SDM in these four major areas within health management, discusses its advantages and limitations, and serves as a reference for researchers and practitioners aiming to utilize SDM in future studies. The goal is to advance health management toward greater personalization and precision, thereby offering stronger support for health interventions and policy development.
Humans ; Health Policy ; Models, Theoretical

Innovation is an important way to promote economic development and social progress. Recent years have seen rapid development of biological sciences. In response to social demands and the needs for developing an innovative country, fostering innovative talents in the field of biosciences has become a significant initiative supported by national policies and the needs from talent market. Taking the innovative talent training mode implemented by Zhejiang Normal University in the field of biological sciences as an example, this paper comprehensively introduces several key aspects of the mode. This includes establishing a mentorship system as the foundation, carrying out curriculum reform through project competitions and practical platforms, and promoting synergy among industry, academia, and research in talent training. This training mode has achieved positive results in practice, promoting the training of outstanding innovative talents in biological science majors, and may facilitate the reform of talent training in similar majors.
Humans ; Biological Science Disciplines ; Industry ; Policy ; Universities

OBJECTIVES

PhilHealth’s present health benefit scheme is largely centered on in-patient services. This inadvertently incentivizes hospital admissions for increased access to benefit coverage. To address this problem, this study proposes a costing method to comprehensively finance outpatient care. The objective of this paper is to estimate an annual primary care benefit package (PCBP) cost based on experience analysis (actual benefit usage) on the first year of implementation at an urban pilot site.

METHODS

A cost analysis was conducted to assess a disease-agnostic primary care benefit package for an urban outpatient government facility over the first year of implementation. Costing information was gathered through staff interviews, accounting documents, and usage data from the electronic health records system available on-site.

RESULTS

The annual primary care cost was defined as the estimated financial coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents (n=15,051). The annual utilization rate for consultations was reported at 51%. Of patients who consulted, approximately 38% accessed free available diagnostic procedures and 48% availed of free available medicines. Based on these usage rates, the annual primary care cost for the first year was computed at PhP 403.22 per capita.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that on the first year of coverage in a government run urban outpatient facility, an allocation of PhP 403.22 per capita can allow coverage for a disease-agnostic package (comprehensive); this amount excludes out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the target population of this study. This amount is feasible only when coopted with opportunistic registration, reduction of untargeted check-ups, prior contextual community engagement, and streamlining of patient-transactions through an electronic health record (EHR).

Primary Health Care ; Health Policy ; Healthcare Financing ; Costs And Cost Analysis