“The single most important health problem in the world is not a disease but the problem of inequity within nations and among nations,” this was the striking message of National Scientist Dr. Ernesto Domingo during his keynote speech at Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week in Baguio City on 6-9 August 2018.
As a Ramon Magsaysay Foundation awardee, Dr. Domingo shared his experiences and the bigger role of being a scientist researcher in achieving universal healthcare and health equity. He said, “the conduct of research is certainly metamorphosing from the simple pleasure of knowing to the more heroic imperative of ameliorating.”
For Dr. Domingo, dedicated and passionate scientist-researchers are key to achieving universal health care. Based from his first hand experiences, he shared three qualities of a good researcher.
First, a good researcher has genuine interest to find answers. According to Dr. Domingo, although curiosity is a primordial engine of research, the researchers’ desire and conduct of work is also a factor in the generating beneficial research. He emphasized that a researcher intention should go beyond the material merits and pleasure instead should root from the pure desire and limitless energy to produce research results for the betterment of mankind.
Second, behind a good researcher is a good mentor. Dr. Domingo revealed that his mentor is Dr. Kenneth Warren, an American scientist, physician, educator, and public health advocate. Dr. Domingo narrated how he grew as a scientist under Dr. Warren’s mentorship. As per Dr. Domingo, being a mentor doesn’t mean occasionally giving advice but endowing trust and confidence to the mentee. Dr. Domingo said, “A good nurturing environment or mentor is key in supporting, advocating, and facilitating the journey or career of a researcher.”
Finally, researcher’s readiness to do hard work is the final key into becoming a successful researcher. Dr. Domingo stressed that productivity is not a product of brilliance but the ability of a researcher to absorb tremendous work. Dr. Domingo explained that doing research is a lifetime commitment because it does not stop in getting master and doctoral degrees. Instead, conducting research requires a lot of patience and determination to produce significant results that could lead to technological breakthroughs and other discoveries.
In closing, Dr. Domingo reiterated the important role of researchers in addressing issues in equity in health. Dr. Domingo’s experience serves as a testament that the quality of research you do depends on your character as a researcher. “The hardship you will encounter is nothing compared to the impact you will make into truly achieving equity in health. We must work together with genuine interest and passion to produce research for everyone.”
Details
Written by Catherine Joy C. Dimailig
Created: 23 August 2018
15th National Medical Writing Workshop and 8th Writeshop for Young Researchers
Zamboanga City, Philippines
29-30 January 2019
Organized by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and the
Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE), co-organized by Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD)
Endorsed by the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME)
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
Application deadline: October 15, 2018
REGISTRATION IS FREE (limited slots only)
The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) and Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development (ZCHRD), in cooperation with Philippine Association of Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE) and Asia Pacific Association of Medical Journal Editors (APAME) is organizing the 15th National Medical Writing Workshop and 8th Writeshop for Young Researchers on 27-31 January 2019 in Zamboanga City. The workshop aims to help young investigators in health and health social sciences acquire practical knowledge and skills in preparing a scientific article for publication in a scholarly peer-reviewed journal. Successful applicants will be granted free workshop registration, accommodation for participants and meals during the workshop, and assigned to a mentor-facilitator who will guide them in preparing their articles for a brief presentation.
Requirements for participants
The workshop is designed for a maximum of forty (40) researchers in health sciences and health social sciences, aged 35 years old and below, who have a research project completed not more than 2 years ago and have drafted a manuscript for submission to a scholarly journal. The selected draft manuscripts will be reviewed and revised during the workshop, based on the lectures and exercises, under the guidance of the faculty and mentor – facilitators. All participants are expected to present a 7-minute power point summary of their revised manuscripts on the second day of the workshop, and agree to submit the article to an appropriate scholarly peer-reviewed journal within three (3) months after the workshop.
Instructions
Applicants should e-mail the following requirements to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on or before 15 October, 2018
1. Fill out application form here
2. Conforme slip
3. Abstracts
4. Draft Journal Manuscripts
5. Instructions to authors (This is a free document downloadable from the website of your prospective journal.)
Please use this subject format in your email: Application_15th Wrtieshop_(Surname)
Please save your documents in this format: Application form_(Surname), Conforme Slip_(Surname), Abstract_(Surname), Manuscript_(Surname), ITA_(Surname)
The results of the selection of participants for the Workshop will be communicated on November 10, 2018.
If there are any questions about the Workshop, please contact Ms. Catherine Joy C. Dimailig (email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or tel no: (02) 837-7534.)
The Department of Health (DOH), through its AHEAD (Advancing Health through Evidence-Assisted Decisions) strategy, aims to inform the health sector’s global and national administrative and legislative policy agenda, create an equitable and enabling environment for health policy and systems researchers all over the country, and ensure the progressive realization of the envisioned research system.
With the continued commitment of DOH in training the next generation for health sector leaders, researchers, policy analysts, and program managers, they have partnered with the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research Development (DOST-PCHRD) in order to implement the DOH Research Fellowship Program.
Objectives:
- Train young professionals in conceptualizing, developing, implementing, and communicating health research of national and global policy significance
- Produce and use research evidence to influence national policy-making and legislation, and program development, and implementation
- Establish a cadre of young professionals with emerging expertise in the field of health systems research, policy, and data analysis, research communication, and research management
Scope of Work:
- Identify research gaps in health policy and systems
- Develop and design a health policy and systems research addressing identified research gaps/ health policy and systems issues
- Collect and analyze data using a range of quantitative and qualitative techniques
- Systematically search, appraise and synthesize research evidence
- Communicate evidence to influence policy-making and legislation through the development of policy briefs, policy notes and other knowledge products as appropriate
- Apply research evidence in day-to-day practice to improve health policy and systems
- Participate in research capacity building activities organized by DOH
- Comply with DOH standards and protocols
Deliverables:
- Publishable collaborative research article
- Collaborative health policy analysis
- Research brief/s
- Technical review or critical appraisal of a proposed or completed research work
- Technical reports (such as position papers, policy notes, technical presentations, meeting reports, aide memoires, terms of reference and the like)
- Attendance to at least 80% of capacity building activities
- Timely submission of monthly accomplishment report approved by the DOH management
- Other policy and research related technical tasks as may be required
Preferred Qualifications:
- Preferably Doctor of Medicine; fields of study must be on policy and research development, public health, or any area in medical sciences
- Fluency in the English and Filipino languages; mastery in research and analytical writing
- At least 1-2 years relevant work experience, previous work experience in DOH is a plus factor
- Skills in planning, organizing and managing
- Knowledge and experience in research management
- Proficient computer skills, particularly for technical report-writing and presentation preparation
Duration:
Two years, non-renewable
Compensation:
Commensurate with qualifications
Expression of Interest:
Qualified applicants may file their application together with the following documents at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.:
1. Cover letter addressed to:
KENNETH G. RONQUILLO, MD, MPHM, CESO III
Director IV
Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau
Department of Health
2. Curriculum Vitae
Deadline of submission is on or before August 14, 2018.
For queries, contact Ms. Juanita R. Valeza at (02) 651-7800 local 1326/1328 or Ms. Ian Hannah C. Gozun at (02) 837-7537 local 403/404.
