Article type
Abstract
Background: Anchored on many health reforms through the Republic Act No. 11223 "Universal Health Care Act," the Philippines Department of Health issued the Omnibus Health Guidelines (OHG) as the overarching policy issuance in setting standards of care to ensure safe and quality services across the continuum of care.
Objectives: Generally, to determine the awareness and utilization of primary care providers and managers on OHG. Specifically, to measure the level of awareness on OHG and to understand the facilitators and barriers on utilization of OHG and identify recommendations on utilization of OHG.
Methods: Survey and focused group discussions were used. Primary care providers were invited to answer an online survey on awareness and utilization of OHG. Thereafter, focused group discussions were conducted with primary care doctors and primary care managers to understand the facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for utilization of OHG.
Results: About 1901 primary care providers answered the online survey, of whom many were nurses (32%), followed by doctors (20%). Majority of respondents were public health workers (90%), and more than half were based in the National Capital Region (60%).
More than half of the respondents were not aware of the OHG (59%). Conversely, among those who were aware of the OHG, majority were using it as a reference to their practice (83%), and about half were using it often (43%).
Focused group discussion explored the facilitators and barriers in the utilization of OHG. Themes emerged that facilitated OHG utilization, including comprehensive and evidence-based reference. Themes emerged on barriers to its utilization, including resource limitations and competing interests of local leaders. Themes on recommendations for its utilization include coordination and alignment with health financing and regulations, improvement on user interface, and guide for implementation.
Conclusions: Most primary care providers were not aware of the OHG. Facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for its utilization were explored.
Objectives: Generally, to determine the awareness and utilization of primary care providers and managers on OHG. Specifically, to measure the level of awareness on OHG and to understand the facilitators and barriers on utilization of OHG and identify recommendations on utilization of OHG.
Methods: Survey and focused group discussions were used. Primary care providers were invited to answer an online survey on awareness and utilization of OHG. Thereafter, focused group discussions were conducted with primary care doctors and primary care managers to understand the facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for utilization of OHG.
Results: About 1901 primary care providers answered the online survey, of whom many were nurses (32%), followed by doctors (20%). Majority of respondents were public health workers (90%), and more than half were based in the National Capital Region (60%).
More than half of the respondents were not aware of the OHG (59%). Conversely, among those who were aware of the OHG, majority were using it as a reference to their practice (83%), and about half were using it often (43%).
Focused group discussion explored the facilitators and barriers in the utilization of OHG. Themes emerged that facilitated OHG utilization, including comprehensive and evidence-based reference. Themes emerged on barriers to its utilization, including resource limitations and competing interests of local leaders. Themes on recommendations for its utilization include coordination and alignment with health financing and regulations, improvement on user interface, and guide for implementation.
Conclusions: Most primary care providers were not aware of the OHG. Facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for its utilization were explored.