The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), in partnership with the Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC) of the Ateneo de Manila University, hosted a two-day kick-off meeting on “eHealth Technologies and Data Governance” on 27 to 28 February 2017 at San Alberto Hurtado Hall, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City and Capitol Resort Hotel, Lingayen, Pangasinan, respectively.

Supported by the ASEAN Network for Drugs, Diagnostics, and Vaccines Innovation (ASEAN-NDI), the meeting officially launched the October 2017 “Learning Interaction on eHealth Technologies in the ASEAN” conference, a part of the 2017 Philippine hosting of the ASEAN.

Dr. Jaime Montoya, PCHRD Executive Director, cited that the Philippines has long been challenged by constraints in accessibility and availability of healthcare services and information wherein about 90% of health professionals and 60% of tertiary hospitals where only found in urban areas.

“Due to these limitations, DOST recognizes that the solution lies in a strategy that incorporates SMARTER technologies. This is where eHealth comes into place. The eHealth program serves as one of the countries’ primary strategies to reform the current health care system,” Dr. Montoya emphasized.

Highlights of the program were two book launchings, the “Breaking Ground for HATID ASEAN: Proceedings of ASEAN-Level Technical Meetings on eHealth Technologies for Local Government Units” and the “eHealth LGU User Guide and Manual.” Presentations and discussions on the Indonesian, Thailand, and Philippine HATID ASEAN proposal were held.  

The Province of Pangasinan, through Provincial Health Officers Anna Teresa De Guzman and Cielo Almoite, also shared their experiences on integrating eHealth technologies for data and health governance in their province.

ASEAN-NDI, hosted by PCHRD, is the first health research and development (R&D) innovation network under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

Ortigas Center, QUEZON CITY- The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) joined the 24^thannual convention of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) on 15-17 February 2017 at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila.

Participants from 24^th annual convention of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP)

With the theme “Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Showcasing Trends, Achievements and Research (P.I.D.S.T.A.R),” the Convention highlighted relevant clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic management of common infectious diseases in community and hospital settings.

Dr. Jaime Montoya, PCHRD Executive Director, shared his expertise on “Research Strategies, Trends and Opportunities in Pediatric Infectious Disease” wherein he cited that infectious diseases account for 15 million deaths per year worldwide and affect the young and elderly people and the poorest sections of society. 

He also highlighted the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA), the country’s template for health research and development efforts. “At present, the Council, together with its stakeholders, is preparing the NUHRA 2017-2022 that will address prevailing diseases,” Dr. Montoya discussed.

Other topics included in the PIDSP Convention were “The Comeback of Old Vaccine Preventable Diseases” discussed by Dr.  Ma. Carmen Nievera of Asian Hospital and Medical Center, “Genetics and Infectious Diseases” by Dr. Eva Marie Cutiongco-Dela Paz of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, and “Adjunct or Junk Therapies in Pediatric Infectious Diseases” by Dr. Cecilia C. Maramba-Lazarte of UP Manila.

PCHRD’s Health Research and Development Information Network (HERDIN), the national health research repository of the Philippines, also participated in the Convention’s exhibit. (With reports from Judy Ann Bacud, Project Assistant III, PCHRD). 

Writing for a scholarly journal publication is entirely different from thesis-writing. While the aim of your thesis is to present everything you know and discover on a particular topic, the goal of a journal article is to present research findings in a shorter and more focused format that scientists and researchers can read despite their hectic schedules. Moreover, journal editors sift through several submissions every publication cycle and would not bother reading an article that lacks clarity and brevity. 

In the recently concluded 11th National Medical Writing Workshop and 4th Writeshop for Young Researchers held January 30-31 at the Isabela State University – Cauayan Campus, journal-writing experts from the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors, together with proficient mentor-facilitators from different health fields, trained health investigators in developing/refining manuscripts that are worthy of a scholarly journal publication. Here are few practices researchers should avoid when writing a scientific journal article as pointed out in the writeshop*:





Mr. Diomerl Baldo, Bicol University, reviews the draft journal article of his groupmate during the small-group exercises at the
11th National Medical Writing Workshop and 4th Writeshop for Young Researchers held January 30-31 at the
Isabela State University – Cauayan Campus


Writing only in the active voice

More often, research writing guidelines encourage writing sentences in the active voice rather than in the passive voice. Recently, journal editors encourage writing in both the active and passive voices depending on what section you are working on. Writing in the passive voice would enable you to focus more on the results of your study. e.g. (active) The researcher classified vapor as gas. (passive) Vapor was classified as gas. 

Presenting data in both narrative and illustration forms

Avoid redundant data presentation when writing for journals. This can be achieved by carefully choosing which presentation form would best express your data. If data cannot be explained in three to four paragraphs, it is best to use illustrations. Graphs effectively present trends and relationships among variables.

Using statistical terms that have common meanings

Using the statistical words such as random, correlate, significant, and normal in non-technical parts of your journal article may confuse readers into what the meaning of your statements. Save statistical words for your materials and methods prose. All statistical terms should be defined if used in the Results section. 

Presenting all the results of your research

Only include results that are relevant to your stated problem whether or not they support the hypothesis. This technique would also make a journal article more focused and specific.

Including only the references that agree with your research

Journal manuscripts can be venues for discussion and scholarly disputes. Try to argue and provide enough data on why you don’t agree with previously published results and contribute another perspective to existing research. 

Using one writing style for all your journal submissions

Journals do not follow a single format. While most of scholarly journals go by the IMRAD (Introduction-Methodology-Results-Discussion) format, it is best to check the corresponding guidelines/instruction to authors of your prospective journal to know about their style requirements. 

Journal articles should be short, sharp, and swift, says Dr. Jose Florencio Lapeña, President of the Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors during his talk. A clear and concise journal manuscript is your best bet to get published. 

 


Dr. Jose Florencio Lapeña, Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors President, lectures on how to prepare journal manuscripts for submission at the 11^th National Medical Writing Workshop and 4^th Writeshop for young Researchers

 

*taken from the presentations of the 11th National Medical Writing Workshop and 4th Writeshop for young Researchers' resource persons: Dr. Jose Florencio Lapeña, Dr. Wilfred CG Peh, and Dr. Cecilia C. Maramba-Lazarte

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), as the national coordinating body for health research, recognizes health researchers and health research groups for their exemplary research efforts and contributions in enhancing our country’s health research capabilities.

The following are three awards created specifically for our health researchers:

1. Alberto Romualdez, Jr. Outstanding Health Research Award (AROHRA)

AROHRA encourages researchers to be sensitive to the scientific and technological requirements of the health delivery system as well as rewards those whose research has contributed significantly to addressing prevalent health issues.

Given by PCHRD, in collaboration with the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) partners, the award gives recognition to a research program or project that demonstrates the link between research and practice through the utilization of research findings in the health delivery system.

 The call for nominations is ongoing, visit http://bit.ly/2fcA9T0!

 
2. Best Mentor in Health Research Award

The Council recognizes the vital role of the research mentor who selflessly shares knowledge and skills, instills values and attitudes, and inspires those involved in the research process.

The award is offered biennially to reward mentors in health research who built the capacities of researchers in the health sector and propelled significant advances in the PNHRS thrusts, as identified in the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA), the country’s template for health research and development efforts.

The call for nominations is ongoing, visit http://bit.ly/2fxKpJ5!

3. DOST-PCHRD-Gruppo Medica Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis in Herbal Medicine

PCHRD, in collaboration with Gruppo Medica Inc. (GMI), gives the award to provide motivation for students to view undergraduate thesis not merely as an academic exercise, but as an excellent opportunity to contribute to national interest.

The award recognizes relevant and innovative research works on herbal medicine that have potential practical and/or commercial applications.

For more information on PCHRD Health Research Awards, visit www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph.