BACKGROUND

The Universal Health Care (UHC) Act in the Philippines, specifically Republic Act 11223, has prompted significant healthcare reforms, particularly in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, focusing on improving health finance methods and emphasizing the importance of robust primary care. In response, the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) Batangas Chapter initiated a developmental program to prepare its members for these reforms.

OBJECTIVE

This research aimed to understand the family, community, and cultural orientation of family practice clinics among PAFP Batangas Chapter members. It analyzed socio-demographic profiles, including age, sex, membership status, practice length, employment status, and place of practice. The study also analyzed the overall family, community, and cultural orientation across study participants based on professional status and place of practice.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 117 active members of the PAFP Batangas Chapter, involving 74 voluntarily participating members. They completed a pilot-tested questionnaire about family practice clinics’ family, community, and cultural orientations. The responses were encrypted and tabulated using MS Excel, and the results were presented using frequencies and percentages. The study aimed to understand family, community, and cultural orientations across participants based on membership status and area of practice.

RESULTS

The results highlighted a strong family-centered orientation, with 94.6% advocating for involving family members in treatment planning. Community engagement was also prominent, as 86.3% participated in outreach programs. Cultural orientation was favorable, with 78.4% using the local language effectively. Moreover, 93.3% demonstrated effective communication, and most were receptive to patients’ or families’ unique healthcare preferences.

CONCLUSION

The PAFP Batangas Chapter, committed to family-centered care, needs to improve communication, collaboration, and patient group structure. The study suggests considering local contexts, cultural norms, and healthcare infrastructure for positive cultural competence. Regular assessments, like the Primary Care Assessment Tool, can provide feedback on intervention effectiveness and support continuous improvement efforts. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing primary care in alignment with UHC Act reforms, highlighting the chapter’s strengths and areas for enhancement.

Human ; Universal Health Care ; Primary Health Care ; Philippines