In celebration of the 30th UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Annual Research Week with the theme Perspectives and Gains in Health Research VII: Promoting Research-Driven Action, the Paramedical Research Forum was held on October 17, 2025 at the Dietary Function Hall. The event showcased the research projects and initiatives of PGH’s paramedical staff, emphasizing the hospital’s continued efforts to link research with service improvement.
Dr. Belen L. Dofitas, PGH Coordinator for Research, opened the forum by highlighting the vital role of the Expanded Hospital Research Office (EHRO) in supporting hospital personnel through training and mentorship to strengthen their research skills. She also noted that PGH continues to develop ways to make research easier and more accessible for all staff. Dr. Dofitas expressed appreciation to the presenters, reactors, and organizing team for their participation and contributions in making the forum possible.
In his message, Dr. Gerardo D. Legaspi, UP-PGH Director, shared that while the Annual Research Week features studies across the spectrum of PGH staff, what excites him most each year are the presentations from the nurses and paramedical personnel. He noted that although he often anticipates the types of studies physicians would present, the work of non-physician researchers always brings surprising insights.
According to him, the varied presenters in the forum reflect the enthusiasm of the entire hospital toward research. This enthusiasm is well-founded, as PGH has the largest patient population, allowing studies that can evaluate and improve hospital processes. It also operates within a strong research environment where experts in various fields can be consulted, the EHRO remains active in providing guidance and support, staff are well-versed in the research process, and the hospital extends the necessary assistance in terms of personnel and resources. In addition, the hospital’s research grant program continues to grow, encouraging more studies that can be presented or even published locally and internationally.
Dr. Legaspi emphasized that the PGH community now appreciates how existing processes can be further improved through research, turning daily operational challenges into opportunities for improvement. He expressed gratitude to all presenters for taking the time to share the knowledge gained through their work in PGH, and to the panel of reactors for their valuable insights and contributions.
The forum featured five (5) presentations representing a range of disciplines, from rehabilitation and social work to emergency medicine and pharmacy. The presenters were allotted ten minutes to discuss their study, followed by a five-minute response from their invited reactors.
1. Facilitators and Barriers within the Interdisciplinary Occupational Therapy Adult Rehabilitation Inpatient Discharge Planning in a Tertiary Public Hospital
Presenter: Pamella Mae T. Asistio, OTRP, Occupational Therapist II, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Reactor: Isabella E. Supnet, MD, FPARM, Medical Specialist II, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
2. From Hospital Bed to Home: A Collaborative Effort to Reunite a Patient with Family – A Case Study
Presenter: Mary Love D. Sibulo, RSW, Social Welfare Officer II, Medical Social Services Division
Reactor: Glennie Marie M. Sina-on – Jazmin, Assistant Professor 7, Department of Social Work, College of Social Work and Community Development, UP Diliman
3. Co-developing Locally Informed Back Pain Education Resources for Filipinos: A Mixed Method Study
Presenter: Anton Miguel M. Jordan, PTRP, DPT, Physical Therapist II, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Reactor: Micah G. Catalan, MD, RMSK, Consultant, Pediatric Rehabilitation Service, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
4. A Case Study on the Patient’s Presentations in the Field Hospital (FH) in the Midst of Mega Mass Gathering, Traslacion 2025
Presenter: Stephanie P. Reyes, RN, EMT, Nurse I, Emergency Medical Services, Department of Emergency Medicine
Reactor: Patrick Joseph G. Tiglao, MD, FPCEM, Consultant, Department of Emergency Medicine
5. Integration of Pharmacy Trainees into the Workflow of Patient Medication Counseling Clinic of the Department of Pharmacy
Presenter: Sarah A. Luib, RPh, Pharmacist III, Department of Pharmacy
Reactor: Rubina R. Abaya, RPh, Senior Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacy Services, Department of Pharmacy
Certificates were awarded to all presenters and reactors by Dr. Belen L. Dofitas, PGH Coordinator for Research; Dr. Marie Dione P. Sacdalan, Head of the Integrated Training and Research Unit (ITRU); and Mr. John Henry A. Ocden, Assistant Coordinator for Paramedical Training and Research.
From left, Dr. Sacdalan, Dr. Isabella E. Supnet (Reactor), Ms. Pamella Mae T. Asistio (Presenter), Dr. Dofitas, Mr. Ocden, and Dr. Cynthia D. Ang (Vice Chair for Research, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine)
From left, Dr. Sacdalan, Ms. Daisy L. Manalangit (Chief, Medical Social Services Division), Professor Glennie Marie M. Sina-on – Jazmin (Reactor), Ms. Mary Love D. Sibulo (Presenter), Dr. Dofitas, and Mr. Ocden
From left, Dr. Sacdalan, Dr. Micah G. Catalan (Reactor), Mr. Anton Miguel M. Jordan (Presenter), Dr. Dofitas, Mr. Ocden, and Dr. Cynthia D. Ang (Vice Chair for Research, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine)
From left, Dr. Sacdalan, Dr. Patrick Joseph G. Tiglao (Reactor), Ms. Stephanie P. Reyes (Presenter), Dr. Dofitas, and Mr. Ocden
From left, Dr. Sacdalan, Ms. Pamela D.G. Nala (Chief, Department of Pharmacy), Ms. Rubina R. Abaya (Reactor), Ms. Sarah A. Luib (Presenter), Dr. Dofitas, and Mr. Ocden
In her closing remarks, Dr. Marie Dione P. Sacdalan stated that the research forum serves as a meaningful venue for sharing research ideas, outputs, and best practices. She emphasized that the research projects presented by the paramedical staff reflect not just data or written words, but stories of the PGH community, stories of commitment, compassion, and dedication to work; they demonstrate PGH’s commitment towards excellence and its collective effort to improve how things are done.
Dr. Sacdalan mentioned that research is a collaborative undertaking rather than the work of a single person or unit; she added that by working together, the PGH community can move from where it is today to where it aspires to be. She echoed Dr. Dofitas’ earlier message that the ITRU, EHRO, and PGH Administration remain committed to supporting research through funding, implementation assistance, and opportunities for presentation in national and international conferences.
Dr. Sacdalan thanked all presenters, reactors, and organizers for their time and contributions. In keeping with the theme Promoting Research-Driven Action, she reminded everyone that research should not stop at presentation or publication but must lead to practical changes, better ways of doing things, improving workflows, enhancing patient care, and ultimately achieving better outcomes both for patients and for the people who serve them.
The research forum, hosted by Ms. Geniel Ann I. Hayashi and Mr. John Michael A. Cargo of the Institutional Research, Planning, and Development Staff (IRPDS), was organized by the IRPDS with support from the Expanded Hospital Research Office (EHRO) and the Integrated Training and Research Unit (ITRU).
Contributors to this article: Orlando V. Alba Jr., Imelda P. Ilagan, John Michael A. Cargo, and El John J. Ebesate (photos).
Posted to the PGH website by Bona Rae Villarta, PGH Information Technology Office