Personal Support

There are times when days seem to merge with the nights and they seem to never end...   when the darkness and the silence doesn't help to catch that elusive restful sleep.

In this year's performance report, I was the most tardy member of the Executive Committee.  I can't seem to keep track of time and I am always late.

There are days when the "things to do list" just keep getting longer rather than shorter.  The problems to solve just mushroom pop out of nowhere even before you begin to find solutions.

Other days I miss out on important events because I couldn't organize my schedule anymore and meetings seem to blend one after the other, and the wake up call and the cup of black coffee in the morning is what keeps me afloat in the #CHAOTIC mind of mine.

Assistants are heaven-sent angels who provide just the right kind of support I need.  They may not be family, but they seem to care enough to help keep me moving, lest I drown in self-pity or get overwhelmed in the vortex of work I created for myself.

Then again, maybe it's the age.  When knees start to creak and moving is a chore.  When holidays other people get to put their beat foot forward and post what they have and who they have, you realize all you have is the blues.

Ethics of Healthcare Professional Content Creators

I was watching my Facebook feed and came across the video of NASDaily about content creators.  I want to discuss this tonight about how in addition to being interesting and entertaining, healthcare professionals involved in health promotion, education and communication should be guided by medical ethics and professionalism.

Filipino Tiktok Creators

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #HealthXPH to discuss ethics for healthcare professional content creators:

T1.  Let's review the reasons why healthcare providers should have social media engagement.

T2.  Share your favorite content creators who you think have a good impact on healthcare.

        Filipino health influencers

As professionals adhering to the Hipppcratic oath, our calling is higher.  During the first ever Healthcare Social Media Summit #HCSM in Cebu, #HealthXPH four founders, advocates, policy makers and clinicians signed the #HealthXPH manifesto:

T3.  How should healthcare professional content creators be guided ethically?

In our facility we keep the discussion alive about the essential principles of bioethics, namely, non-maleficence (first of all, do no harm), beneficience (do good), autonomy (the concept of shared decision) and justice.  Therefore, our sworn duty is to protect and uphold the dignity, safety and welfare of our patients.  However we behave professionally in real life should also reflect how we engage online.

Europa Gastronomica

Our Europe tour was a gigantic food festival, mainly utilizing our sense of sight and sense of taste.

It might be a good idea to document what we ate in each country.  After all, we've visited 8 countries in Europe in 15 days!

1. Portugal ✅

2. France ✅

3. Belgium ✅

4. Netherlands ✅

5. Spain ✅

6. Greece ✅

7. Italy ✅

8.  Switzerland ✅ 

The best meal was the last: the birthday celebration for Dr Reynette Ligaray at Quest Hotel.

This meal shared with doc Steve and doc Prexy is all about rekindling the whirlwind adventures of a lifetime (including so many bloopers).  

Just like Ric said in Casablanca "this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship!"

Let it SNOW!

It was our group's first exposure to SNOW! and we frolicked and delighted in the experience. 

kay kami gikan sa Sotto, gitugnaw kaayo!

Always happy to see a familiar face, my college buddy Carlo Manago went on a vacation leave from work just to spend the day with us at Grindelward.

The best photo ever was that of our Cliff Walk where I was able to conquer my fear of heights!

Travel Europe by Train, Tram or Bus

BASE.  There is still some essence to "backpacking in Europe" meaning travelling light by finding a base accomodation like a relative or host that you can come back to for laundry and repository of personal belongings, souvenirs and shopping finds.

ENGLISH.  This trip drives home the importance of reading comprehension amd English proficiency.  As reading dashboards and instructions were daunting even for me, I wonder how much more difficult it would be for someone with less skills.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.  In Europe, there is not much traffic as in Manila or Cebu because the number of private cars on the road are limited by the expense and the hassle of looking for parking space.  The fact that the public can choose between train, tram or bus is another reinforcing factor to use efficient public transportation instead.

Fasten your seat belts!

Lessons learned from all the flights we've taken during this European trip:

1.  Fasten your seat belt.

2.  Listen to the instructions.

3.  In case of emergency, grab your own face mask and put it on before you even think of helping others.

4.  Know the directions to the nearest exit.

5.  In case of evacuation, leave everything behind.

PULL is easier than PUSH

Lessons learned from traipsing around Europe

1.  Need for rest.  Tomorrow is another day.

2.  Follow the leader.  Don't get left behind.

3.  Bringing heavy luggage, it is easier to pull than to push.

Honey, it's cold outside!

This photo describes how I feel about the cold weather in Europe.  Everywhere I go, I need to bundle up with everything covered and protected from the cold.

International Hospital Federation (IHF2023) Trip

We left Cebu on October 19, 2023 to head for Lisbon, Portugal to represent our hospital to receive an award from the IHF2023.  Considering that we are travelling at our own expense during our vacation leave, we decided to make a revenge European tour out of it.  With Atty Rey Cris Panugaling as our main travel agent and tourist guide, we look forward to an exciting amazing race traveling to 10 coutries in 15 days.

I start blogging about this now because I'vd been exhausted walking more than 20,000 steps a day just to keep up with the boys.  I'm so glad that Dr Reynette Ligaray is with us this time.

The highlight of our stay in Portugal so far was the visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima.  I prayed for everyone. I prayed for peace.

Crying Lady

I am saving this ugly crying photo of me to remind myself that there are days you just need to let it out and grieve.  Give yourself five minutes at most, then pick yourself up and move forward.

The Benefits of Travel

This chat is inspired by our upcoming travel to Europe to receive an award for our hospital from the International Hospital Federation, this time in Lisbon, Portugal.  We hope to maximize our trip to see as many countries within the Schengen area as possible.

Our first trip to Europe in 2021 to Barcelona, Spain was memorable considering its was still during the time of COVID19 pandemic.  Overthinking begot anxiety and anxiety increased stress levels.

I've also seen a lot of photos and Tiktok videos of OBGYN colleagues in Paris, France attending the FIGO where our very own Dr Lourdes Capito is awarded as Hero Outstanding Obstetrician-Gynecologist, representing the Philippines!

Our Department of Health Bureau of International Health Cooperation issued guidelines on international engagements of government healthcare workers.

I tried asking ChatGPT for the first time regarding the benefits of travel and here is an enumeration:

1.  Broadens your perspective: Travel exposes you to different cultures, people, and ways of life, helping you gain a broader understanding of the world. It challenges your assumptions and opens your mind to new ideas and experiences.

2.  Enhances cultural awareness: Through travel, you have the opportunity to experience and appreciate various customs, traditions, and lifestyles. This helps foster cultural sensitivity and understanding, making you more tolerant and respectful towards other cultures.

3.  Personal growth: Travel pushes you out of your comfort zone and encourages personal growth. It challenges you to adapt to new situations, problem-solve, and become more independent and self-reliant.

4.  Creates lifelong memories: Traveling allows you to create unforgettable memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. From witnessing breathtaking landscapes to engaging in unique activities, these moments become cherished stories that you can share with others.

5.  Expands your network: Travel provides the opportunity to meet people from different walks of life. Whether it's fellow travelers, locals, or expats, you can build meaningful connections and create a diverse network that may offer future friendship, collaboration, or support.

6.  Boosts mental health: Traveling can have a positive impact on mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. It provides a break from routine, offers new experiences, and promotes relaxation and rejuvenation.

7.  Promotes self-discovery: When you travel, you have the chance to reflect on your own values, beliefs, and desires. It allows for self-reflection and self-discovery, enabling you to better understand yourself and your place in the world.

8.  Enhances language and communication skills: Traveling to different countries exposes you to different languages and dialects. This immersion can improve your language skills and help you become a more effective communicator.

9.  Encourages lifelong learning: Traveling is a continuous learning experience. You learn about history, art, architecture, cuisine, and various other subjects. It keeps your mind active and curious, promoting a love for learning.

10.  Provides opportunities for adventure and exploration: Traveling allows you to embark on exciting adventures and explore new places. Whether it's hiking through scenic trails, diving into the ocean, or visiting historical landmarks, travel offers a range of thrilling experiences.

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #HealthXPH to discuss the benefits of TRAVEL:

T1.  Share about your latest travel experience.

T2.  What impact did travel have in your life?

T3.  Where would you like to travel to next, and why?

CREATING HOPE THROUGH ACTION

Mental health has received a lot of support worldwide especially with isolation and anxiety brought on by the COVID19 pandemic.  In our country, there is a Philippine Mental Health Law to promote programs that support mental health and protect the rights of people suffering from mental illness.

World Suicide Prevention Day is an annual event observed on September 10th.  It was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO).

“Creating Hope Through Action” is the triennial theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2021-2023. This theme serves as a powerful call to action and reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and that through our actions we can encourage hope and strengthen prevention.

During our institutional SOTTO LIVE Productions on facebook, The Side Notes VSMMC Documentaries episode on suicide prevention, on survivor shared her experiences with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation with a spiritual approach to salvation.  

One practical advice she mentioned is to simply ask people how they are doing, because one key message is that "we are not alone".  There is no shame in asking for help and there is an alternative to suicide.

Join us tonight at 9PM MLA time on #HealthXPH to discuss CREATING HOPE THROUGH ACTION:

T1.  What challenges did you face this week?  How are you today?

T2.  Share an experience of seriously talking with someone about your troubles, feelings and emotions.

T3.  What resources are available in your locality for suicide prevention and crisis intervention?

Social Media Management for Hospitals

Does your hospital have a social media presence?

I remember a time when the image of our hospital was that of "the hospital of last resort" for patients in life-threatening conditions when more often than not, doctors could not longer do anything because the patients are referred too late... I've heard of monikers like "The Mona Lisa Hospital" because they lie there and they die there.  However it was the COVID-19 pandemic that accelerated the hospital's social media presence due to daily updates on patient census and the emphasis on quality data management as well as transparency and accountability.

Creating a social media account for the hospital is both a privilege and a great responsibility.

When our hospital first created an official Facebook account in 2018, people were always posting their complaints and even wishing that the government close down the hospital.  However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we need to do what we can to intensify public information dissemination and to use what we have.  So we started Facebook Live sessions, and The Sotto Live Productions was born with its first ever broadcast on March 25, 2020 hosted by Dr Helen Madamba and Atty Rey Cris Panugaling with our very first guest Dr Van Philipp Baton from the Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development, discussing responsible social media use.  Initially planning to conduct these sessions once a week, there was pressure to provide updates on a daily basis.

Later on, the hospital hired designated communications team to manage internal and external communication of the hospital.  It put pressure on data managers to ensure quality and accuracy in the information posted on social media accounts of the hospital.  It allowed the patients and stakeholders to peek into the hospital activities and to be more aware of the real situation on the ground to adjust their behaviors appropriately, but it also allowed supporters to provide feedback to the hospital for areas for improvement.

T1.  Do you think hospitals should have a social media presence?  Why or why not?

Social media has a lot of benefits connecting patients and their healthcare workers together despite geographic barriers and quarantine issues during the pandemic.  Patients are able to join virtual communities, consult with their healthcare providers and even participate in research.  Healthcare workers use social media to promote patient health care education.

T2.  What are the risks and benefits of hospital social media accounts?

#HealthXPH has always promoted healthcare providers to have a social media presence and advocated for hospitals to develop their own social media policies.  Dr Iris Isip-Tan helped author the social media policy for their hospital, but for those who also want to do the same, this needs to be adapted and approved by the hospital administration, disseminated to the entire staff with corresponding penalties for violations.

T3.  What tips can you give for social media management of hospitals?

Join us tonight on #HealthXPH at 9PM MLA time to discuss about social media management for hospitals!

Hello and Goodbye

Hellos and goodbyes are part of life.  People are part of your life for a reason, for a season and for a lifetime.

He was part of my life for a reason: to teach me not to be too trusting, and to be objective about giving instructions and being transparent about work outputs.

They are part of my life for a season, there to learn from one another, borne out of need not unsatisfied but there comes a point for farewells because we need to follow our heart's desires and go where God leads...

Those who stay are there for a lifetime, to provide comfort, to witness one's life journey and to share the milestones.

Realizing Universal Health Care

Our technical exam for DOH asked about the critical policy issues that we need to address in order to realize universal health care. Many of our #HealthXPH friends are either into public health and therefore well-versed with universal health care or involved with crafting health policy. So let’s discuss your view points:

T1. What critical policy issues need to be addressed in order to realize universal health care?

In Central Visayas, we have one or two tertiary level hospitals and the rest of the hospitals primary or secondary level. Our DOH Regional Office provided version 2 of our Central Visayas Health Referral System Manual, and implements a real-time electronic referral system with a centralized DOH7 emergency healthline patient navigation for those not yet in a health facility and in need of healthcare access.

T2. What evidence-based strategy can we propose to address these critical policy issues to realize universal health care?

The DOH also instituted balanced scorecards for all DOH hospitals. This is good way to encourage good governance and to promote meritocracy among government employees. We need metrics to tell us if we are doing things right or not. After all, our real bosses are the patients we serve.

T3. What are good success indicators for universal health care?

Central Visayas Regional Unified Health Research Agenda

Today, researchers from member organizations of the Central Visayas Consortium for Health Research and Development (CVCHRD) and representatives of special populations and local government units gathered together to identify the research priorities for health, assisted by the Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes (AIHO).

The methodology was fairly simple using three (3) meta cards for each participant to suggest the top priority research topics for health, then sharing with a small group to group together topics that we agreed on and those that could be grouped together.  During the plenary, all the research topics suggested by the participants, including those grouped together, were presented for scoring.  

There were fifteen (15) criteria suggested by the WHO that the participants chose from until a consensus was arrived at.  The group chose five (5) criteria: feasibility/practicality, potential for policy impact, equity, capacity-building potential and innovation.

From there, each research topic was scored according to the five (5) criteria and ranked until we had come up with the top ten (10) research topics according to weighted criteria scores. 

There you have it, top ten health research priorities for the region!

THORNS hiding the ROSE

From Facebook Memories, this was a photo from 3 years ago when Atty Rey Cris Panugaling and I were still doing our afternoon runs of SOTTO LIVE.  We were mainstay hosts of everyday programs and these were helping us cope with daily challenges during the COVID19 pandemic.

We learn to be thankful for the many blessings we have received and stop looking out for things we don't have.

GOD knows what we need long before we realize to ask him.  When it was time for Kenneth to leave because he received an unexpected golden opportunity, Craches was there with nothing else to do so she signed up to work for me again.  When someone informs you they are leaving for greener pastures, you realize that is the reason why someone else applied for a similar position - to fill in the void that would be created, so that transition would not be so difficult. PROVIDENCE.

Nobody is perfect.  It is our flaws that give us character.  

No matter the thorns that prick us whenever we try to get close, understand that the difficult life experiences caused those thorns to grow in order to protect oneself and in order for us to survive.  

Oftentimes, we have a need to be right.  We have a need to express what we truly think and what we truly feel inside, to be true to ourselves, but we have to consider that in so doing, we might be hurting others and alienating them.  We allow OUR thorns to grow so that nobody would be able to see the beautiful rose inside because they are too wary of the thorns.  We keep others at arms' length so that they don't get too close.  We forget that sometimes it is better to be kind, that loving involves humility and letting other people in.

But we keep ourselves locked up because we don't want to be dependent on others.  We want everything to be neat and tidy.  We need to be in control.  When we keep saying NO or other words that sting just as much, soon they might just give up, thinking the rose is not worth getting pricked by thorns....

Digital Transformation For Health

As the point person assigned to lead digital transformation in our health facility, I would like to discuss this to learn more about what is currently available and how this concept is applied to health.  Admittedly not an expert on the topic, I started searching for definitions and how different concepts are related to one another.

Digital transformation is the process of using digital technologies to create new business processes, culture and customer experiences to meet changing business and market requirements.

    Digitization is the process of converting information from analog to digital.

    Digitalization is using digital data to simplify how you work.

    Digital transformation adds value to every customer interaction.

Benefits of digital transformation include increased efficiency, greater business agility and unlocking of new value for employees, customers and shareholders.

Also, Melissa Kress of csnews.com share about the Three Rs of digital transformation that having the right people, the right process and the right systems in place spells success.

Starting 2020, Hospital Statistical Reports were submitted through the Online Health Facility Statistical Reporting System (OHFSRS).

In 2021, Dr Eric Tayag promoted telemedicine as a game changer in the pandemic, since digital health could reduce the cost of health services.

For 2023, the Department of Health has mandated the digitalization of eleven (11) areas of hospital operations to be included in their hospital balanced score cards.  This includes use of hospital information systems, electronic health records, teleconsultation, and electronic patient navigation.

T1.  Cite examples of how digital transformation is applied for health in your area.

T2.  What are the barriers to digital transformation for health?

T3.  What do you think are the enabling factors for implementation of digital transformation for health?

Collaborative Research is the way to go

This last week, I was a delegate of the 8th Central Visayas Health Research and Innovation Conference at the Siquijor State College. 

It is my personal pride to note that the health facility I belong to was represented this year not just by delegates from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Department of Family Medicine but also delegates from the Nutrition and Dietetics Services, Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Psychiatry, and the Department of General Surgery.

During the conference, I was asked to judge the Professional Experimental category and was delighted to know that agriculturists were doing research.  This is important for food security!

Digital Transformation

Last April 20, 2023 the top management of the Southern Philippines Medical Center benchmarked with our hospital regarding the hospital information system, considering we employ a third party provider while supplementing the standard systems with parallel software programs where it is needed.

The feedback from the hospital tour described our hospital as "amazing".