Knowledge, attitudes, and practices on teledermatology among dermatologists in the Philippines

Background@#Teledermatology has been widely used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to overcome barriers in access to care. The objective of this study was to assess the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding teledermatology among dermatologists in the Philippines.@*Materials and Methods@#This was a cross-sectional and analytical study conducted from January 2022 to April 2022, among Filipino dermatologists using a self-administered online questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the demographics of the participants. The two-sample t-test, Chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression model were used to analyze the data.@*Results@#Out of 113 respondents, 108 (95.5%) had adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward teledermatology. The majority (110/113, 97.35%) practiced teledermatology. The most commonly used platform was instant messaging applications(78/100, 70.91%), and the most common factor that influenced their practice was patient demands or needs(74/110, 67.27%). Those who did not practice teledermatology cited technological difficulties as the main reason.@*Conclusion@#Teledermatology was widely used by Filipino dermatologists to provide remote care during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, to fully utilize its potential and limit potential issues associated with its use even after the pandemic, continuous training and education among dermatologists and a more enabling technological environment may be needed.

Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts among adult patients diagnosed with Psoriasis utilizing an internet survey in Metro Manila

OBJECTIVES@#This study described the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adult patients diagnosed with psoriasis. @*METHODOLOGY@#A Knowledge and Belief survey composed of: 1) a questionnaire on medical, psychiatric and psoriasis profile and 2) a knowledge, attitude and belief questionnaire was developed validated and translated to both English and Filipino. The survey questionnaire was uploaded in the internet using a free site Kwiksurvey.com. Psor Phil (an organization of patients with psoriasis) had sent email invitations to 699 members to answer an on line survey, which would be available for 9 days. The data on suicide ideation and attempt were analyzed and presented.@*RESULTS@#A total of 120 entries were included in the study. The response rate of the survey was (120/699) 17.16%. A total of 17/120 (14.17%) reported suicidal ideation and a total of 9 /120 (7.5%) reported suicidal attempt.@*CONCLUSION@#The reported prevalence of suicidal ideation was higher compared to other studies. Patients disclosed suicidal ideation to friends rather than family members or doctors.

Revisiting existential concepts in the treatment of 3 patients with schizophrenia

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">In this paper, we describe the basic tenets of existentialism. Then we describe the issue of meaning, a construct involving three components: 1) meaning arising from perception of the way the world manifests itself to us; 2) meaning as a sense of "purpose" and 3) meaning deriving from a personal construct, related to one's life story. In addition, meaning involves two perspectives: a global perspective about the world and the self i.e. global meaning, and a perspective related to circumstances, such as trauma or grief (meaning making). In this latter case, it consists in a way of coping often involving spiritual beliefs, and aims to adapt to the situation. Global meaning has been shown to be altered in disorders such as schizophrenia. Concerning meaning-making, many patients with schizophrenia incorporate a spiritual vision of their illness, which entailed positive or negative consequences in terms of coping. Finally we give some examples illustrating how meaning and meaning-making arise in the lives of patients with schizophrenia, followed by some recommendations for the clinicians.</p>

Prevalence of medication errors in admitted patients at the Philippine General Hospital

BACKGROUND: Medication errors are preventable events that can cause or lead to inappropriate drug use. Knowing the prevalence and types of errors can help us institute corrective measures and avoid adverse drug events.OBJECTIVE: This study determined the prevalence of medication errors and its specific types in the four main service wards of a tertiary government training medical center.METHODS: This is a retrospective, descriptive chart review study. From the master list of admissions, systematic sampling was done to retrieve the required number of charts. Relevant pages such as order sheets, nurses' notes, therapeutic sheets were photographed. For prolonged admissions, only the first 7 days were reviewed. Each chart was evaluated by two people who then met and agreed on the errors identified.RESULTS: The overall prevalence of medication errors is 97.8%. Pediatrics had the most (63.3/chart), followed by Medicine, OB-Gynecology, and Surgery (7.3/chart). The most common type of errors identified were prescribing, followed by compliance, then administration errors.CONCLUSION: Medication errors are present in the four main wards in our hospital. We recommend orientation of all incoming first year residents on proper ordering and prescribing of drugs, as well as a prospective observational study to determine true prevalence of all types of medication errors.

Prevalence of medication errors in admitted patients at the Philippine General Hospital

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Medication errors are preventable events that can cause or lead to inappropriate drug use. Knowing the prevalence and types of errors can help us institute corrective measures and avoid adverse drug events.<br /><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This study determined the prevalence of medication errors and its specific types in the four main service wards of a tertiary government training medical center.<br /><strong>METHODS:</strong> This is a retrospective, descriptive chart review study. From the master list of admissions, systematic sampling was done to retrieve the required number of charts. Relevant pages such as order sheets, nurses' notes, therapeutic sheets were photographed. For prolonged admissions, only the first 7 days were reviewed. Each chart was evaluated by two people who then met and agreed on the errors identified.<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> The overall prevalence of medication errors is 97.8%. Pediatrics had the most (63.3/chart), followed by Medicine, OB-Gynecology, and Surgery (7.3/chart). The most common type of errors identified were prescribing, followed by compliance, then administration errors.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Medication errors are present in the four main wards in our hospital. We recommend orientation of all incoming first year residents on proper ordering and prescribing of drugs, as well as a prospective observational study to determine true prevalence of all types of medication errors.</p>