The Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) launched the 2017 National Ethical Guidelines for Health and Health-Related Research (NEGHHR) during the 11th Philippine National Health Research Week held on 24 August 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

With the continuing rapid developments in health and health-related science and technology and the rights and welfare of all individuals and communities involved as participants in mind, the existing ethical guidelines was updated to ensure adherence to local, national, and international principles, and values and respect for Filipino morals and culture.

The new edition seeks to address the question as to what constitutes health research while filling the gaps in areas not sufficiently covered in earlier editions. Likewise, it gives due course to the nuances in principles and regulations as they apply to different fields, types, and methodologies of research. Recognizing the broad understanding of health and the dimensions of disease and illness, the Guidelines also features a detailed section on health-related social science research.

The notable changes in the 2017 guidelines are the title, section revisions (e.g., responsibilities of various stakeholders, elements of research ethics), new added guidelines (e.g., research using online and digital tools, mental health research), and amended guidelines (e.g., clinical research, research involving IPs).

Speaking at the launch were Dr. Marita V.T. Reyes Chair, Ad Hoc Committee for Updating National Ethical Guidelines and Dr. Leonardo de Castro, Co-Chair, and PHREB Chair. “It (NEGHHR) reflects the faithfulness of PHREB to its responsibility to ethics in health research,” said Dr. Reyes.

Other members of the ad hoc committee are Dr. Ricardo M. Manalastas, Jr., Chair, PHREB Committee on Information Dissemination, Training, and Advocacy (CIDTA), Prof. Edlyn B. Jimenez, Coordinator, UP Manila Research Ethics Board (UPM REB), Dr. Rosario Angeles T. Alora, Head, Bioethics Committee, University of Santo Tomas Hospital, Dr. Cecilia V. Tomas, Member, PHREB Committee on Standards and Accreditation (CSA), and Dr. Evangeline O. Santos, Clinical Associate Professor, College of Medicine, UPM Member, PHREB CSA.

According to Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) Director, NEGHHR is definitely an affirmation of PHREB’s efforts to address emerging ethical issues in the conduct of health research and he commended the dedicated efforts of PHREB and its Ad Hoc Committee members in leading the revision of the guidelines.

The revised Guidelines shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette. Download the 2017 National Ethical Guidelines for Health and Health-Related Research (NEGHHR) at http://www.ethics.healthresearch.ph/

Six principles of an effective mental health program were presented by Dr. Anselmo Tronco, Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine of the Philippine General Hospital in the Drug Addiction and Mental Health Session during the 11th Philippine National Health Research System Week celebration on 24 August 2017 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.

1. Address stigma. 
People with mental health illness confront two challenges – the syndrome of the sickness itself and the discrimination they experience from the people around them. According to WHO, stigma has negative effects to the patients as it deteriorates self-esteem, disrupts family relationships and limits patient’s ability to socialize and secure housing and jobs. People thinks mentally ill patients are violent and dangerous but in fact patients have higher tendency to hurt themselves than hurting other people. Dr. Tronco urged for mental health awareness and campaigns be included in mental health programs.

2. Create relationship with the stakeholders for mental health
Local chief executives have important role in integrating a mental health program in the community because they have the power to bring together services from the health and non-health sectors.

3. Experience a process of sharing, validation, and problem-solving

Build support groups where communities can share experience of difficulties, identify common reactions, validate good stories of coping, and facilitate plans for action. Aside from the family where patients can gather strength and resilience, community is a single most important resource for Mental Health Interventions.

4. Involve the family in the program
As partners in providing care to persons with mental disorder, families also need some form of support. Family go through immense pressure in taking care of a patient, that’s why, services such as family education and training, support, and counseling on mental health should be available and accessible to them. Like support groups for the patients, support group where family members can get opportunity to share fears and learn lessons on coping should be established.

5. Harness Community Resilience on Mental Health
Build on the successes of the mental health programs in the communities. Look at the social and cultural practices on how people in communities overcome stress and deal with the challenges of life. Harnessing community resilience also requires human resource that can effectively mobilize community services and infrastructure for mental health.

6. Grab opportunities from crisis and disasters
When disaster strikes, leaders usually listen and responds to communal pain. There are opportunities for mental health programs to highlight emotional and social needs since disasters creates a context of shared grief and recovery.

(L-R) Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer of UP Visayas, Dr. Elinda C. Palaganas of UP Baguio, Dr. Maria Lourdes K . Otayza of Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, and Prof. Fatima Castillo of UP Manila conclude the first half of the contributed papers session entitled "Alternative Gender-Aware Indices for Measuring Poverty: Implication for Healthcare for the Poor" by awarding certificates of appreciation to the speakers, Dr. Palaganas and Prof. Castillo.

In the recently concluded 11th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) Week, researchers presented a paper discussing an alternative way of measuring poverty through different predetermined factors.

The research paper entitled, “Alternative Gender-Aware Indices for Measuring Poverty: Implication for Healthcare for the Poor” was part of the contributed papers session of the PNHRS Week on 24 August at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Unlike the index used by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which use daily income and household as unit of measurement, the new poverty index, called Individual Deprivation Measure (IDM), provides a personal account of poverty in every assessed individual.

Through a three-phased, multi-year, multi-country, interdisciplinary study, the IDM takes into consideration individual factors such as age, gender, environment, and other key areas of life like access to food, water, shelter, health services, education, proper sanitation, and work and livelihood.

To develop the IDM, participants of the research were asked to enumerate items and aspects that they believe could help them escape poverty. The top 15 key areas ranked according to importance was used as the basis for creating the IDM.

With the new index, a new perspective on poverty can be considered by governments and international organizations in developing programs and policies for the poor.

 The study is a collaborative effort of the Australian National University, in partnership with the International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA), and five other Indo-Pacific countries which will use the IDM as a benchmark for global poverty.

For more information, please visit the IWDA and IDM websites..

PASAY CITY, Metro Manila- In the recent “Rallying Communicators for Science, Technology, and Innovation in Health” pre-conference session of the 11^th Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS), communication expert Dr. Clarissa David talked about ways to communicate health research and engage the public.

Dr. Clarissa David, a professor from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Mass Communication, said that health communication is already an established and prominent field of work as it concerns everyone. Here are some notes from Dr. David to reach the public, communicate effectively, and make an impact.

Two objectives: individual behavioral change and “health issue public”

You should identify priority audiences and create appealing messages for these audiences. Make special segments with specific interest in health, find listeners of health research, and convene them in a channel.

The media are your conduit

Media are your only mass-market channel to general public. Talking to them means talking to the public as well.

Ask yourself: Whose role is it?

Take some time to ask what your real objectives are and the roles everyone should play. Can you do the communication work? Is there someone better equipped to do the task? How can you support and work with them?

Study and know your audience

Remember that communication is audience-oriented. Not everyone can be your audience. You should identify key audiences and craft strategy and message to reach them. 

Content is king

You should create your main message and establish channels to bring your audiences.  Remember that you don’t need to explain the whole research paper as most of them are not interested.

Define your voice

Think strategically of the kind of identity you want to take on. Remember that identity and voice are important to audiences.

Sustain public engagement in health systems research

You should create and maintain a community of practice in the health research system. Share best practices through conventions and fora. Gather participation from communication practitioners and scholars in private sectors, media, and academe.

PNHRS is a gathering of different stakeholders in health research and development to contribute research-based solutions to health problems. The 11^th PNHRS Week was held on 22-23 August 2017.

 Source: PCHRD Website

Written by Ladylove May B. Baurile

http://www.pchrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/news/in-the-news