Beginning with the crisis response

With the mobility restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services also had to shift modality. The paper “ľĹÉ«-based rehabilitation in the time of pandemic: Experiences of parents of children with disability” (co-authored by BS Occupational Therapy students Balangue, Chua, Ilagan, Juan, Labaco, and Noh, and academic staff Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun) conducted focus groups with parents whose children received CBR and found that they saw the potential of telecoaching to continue availing services, provided that the digital divide and initial doubt on technology can be overcome.

Building on the previous year’s focus groups, a second study was conducted a year later, focused this time on access of low-income households to community-based telerehabilitation. The paper “Exploring the accessibility of community-based telerehabilitation for children with disabilities from low-income households” was co-authored by BSOT students Ryanne Nicole H. Alava, Kristine Therese S. Cablay, Katelyn A. Dagdag, Francis Rowelle P. Lagman, Kvaern Edgar S. Nocos, Jamela Y. Quidilla, Nina Mari M. Tan, along with Sagun. It was recently published in the International Journal of Telerehabilitation (Volume 16, Issue 2).

The second study found the need to provide a comprehensive approach to helping low-income households overcome access issues. In particular, affordable technology, family support, and policy advocacy must be provided by a combination of stakeholders: healthcare professionals, policy makers, and family beneficiaries. If the needed support is provided, technological competency and service delivery flexibility as well as telerehabiltation sustainability may be attained.

Transitioning to the blended modality

It was not only classes that transitioned to the blended delivery, as CBR for indigent children with disabilities (CWD) also eventually adopted the blended mode. Dubbed Flexicoaching, the QC Kabahagi Center’s CBR program was tested for its effectiveness using a quasi-experimental research design that delved into retrospective records review. This the third study conducted by Thomasian researchers, this time by Sagun, along with students Balloon, Defiño, Guerrero, Managuelod, Oliva, and Riñoza in 2024. The paper, entitled “Examining the caregiver’s perception of occupational performance and satisfaction in community-based rehabilitation using blended online and onsite therapy,” found primary caregivers’ perceived occupation performance and CWDs’ satisfaction were positive in a blended modality. The program enhanced “social and educational participation, validating its potential as a sustainable service delivery model for children with disabilities in urban poor communities.”

Scaling the efforts

The fourth paper, entitled “Effectiveness of community-based flexicoaching from low socioeconomic background using goal attainment scaling, used pre-test and post-design for the quasi-experimental study alongside the Goal Attainment Scale to measure intervention success for CWDs. The Flexicoaching program was found potentially valuable not just for occupational therapists, but also for physical therapists, and speech therapists, after validating remarkable effectiveness among 88.67% of the participants, who were part of the 406 cases reviewed.

According to QC Kabahagi Center Director and Department of Occupational Therapy academic staff Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun, MSOT, MRS, “the partnership between UST and QC Government through the Kabahagi Center exemplifies how academe-government collaboration can advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health, education, and reducing inequalities.” The findings of the four studies provided informed evidence-based rehabilitation services that have been made accessible to urban poor communities and thus addressed social disparities.

Sagun added that while the collaboration began as a crisis response by BS Occupational Therapy students to see the effectiveness of Flexicoaching, the partnership has now shown “continuous development of community-tailored rehabilitation approaches.”

The GCARSIH award, which looked into Filipino-developed programs that targeted an identified priority health need of a community, fetes transformative partnerships that help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through integrated local governance, health innovation, and academic excellence. Among the selection criteria used were degree of innovativeness, significance, potential for further research and scale, inclusiveness, effectiveness, affordability, and participatory and co-owned nature.

Sagun acknowledged the invaluable support of Quezon City Mayor Hon. Ma. Josefina Belmonte, the QC Kabahagi center staff, UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Anne Marie C. Asron and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, along with the units’ officials, academic staff, researchers, and students. Sagun added: “This recognition honors the power of collective innovation in healthcare delivery. From dedicated frontline workers of the government to academic partners and the participatory leadership of the city, each stakeholder has contributed to building a sustainable model of inclusive, community-based rehabilitation services. The partnership has become a launchpad for healthcare innovations while nurturing generations of professionals deeply committed to serving vulnerable communities.”

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The authors indicated that occupational therapy in the Philippine has usually revolved around the four previously mentioned areas. Using cases personally witnessed by the authors, the authors pointed out the “drivers that have influenced (and that continue to influence) the current state and future direction of occupational therapy practice in these practice areas.” The authors concluded with mitigation measures to address the threats.

Uy and Guerrero are among the early faculty members of the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy program in UST, which first offered it in the late 1990s. Her research interests include occupational therapy education and older adult patients. Meanwhile, Espino is among the early graduates of UST’s BS OT program in 2003. She is also among the first graduates of the new research-focused Doctor of Philosophy in Health Research program of the UST Graduate School. Her area of expertise is on child well-being, screen time, and play.

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The chapter elucidates the obligations of professionals to clients, as well as to the profession, education, research, and society. With reflection questions and case studies, the chapter “offers a valuable guide for OT professionals to effectively navigate and resolve ethical dilemmas in Philippine contexts.”

The book chapter is part of the new book “Occupational Therapy in the Philippines: Theory, Practice, and Stories” by Routledge. It was edited by Michael Sy, Roi Charles Pineda, and Caroline Fischl.

Medallon has published studies on “Inclusive classrooms: Making it work for peers of children with disability” (with Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun and Asst. Prof. Allan James Tan) and “Attitude development from the perspectives of occupational therapy interns and clinical educators.” Formerly the Internship Supervisor for the BS Occupational Therapy program of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, he is the Assistant to the Director of the Center for Innovative Teaching and Educational Delivery.

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Using these as bases, the authors discussed the implications for using such in “advancing knowledge and practice of occupational therapy” in the country. The authors also presented strategies that may be adopted to strengthen research efforts and establish a “contemporary, relevant, and critical research agenda.”

A researcher of the Center for Health Research and Movement Science, Gomez specializes in occupational therapy, psychophysiology, and evidence-based practice. Among his recent publications are “Occupational Balance and Quality of Life among Hospital-based Occupational Therapists during the COVID-19 Pandemic” (with Christopher Jeffrey B. Streegan) and “Reflections on the role of occupational therapy programmes on mental health of stakeholders’ transition to e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.” Gomez is also the editor-in-chief of the Philippine Journal of Allied Health Sciences (PJAHS).

The book chapter is part of the new Routledge book entitled “.” It was edited by Michael Sy, Roi Charles Pineda, and Caroline Fischl.

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Authored by Occupational Therapy academic staff Karen S. Sagun, MSOT, MRS with co-authors Teresita C. Mendoza and Abelardo Apollo I. David, the article hinged on the Filipino concepts of pamayanan and bayanihan to “foreground the interconnectedness between individuals within communities.” The authors showed how the Filipino concepts can manifest in “selfless practice of [occupational therapy] as modern-day bayani.”

With an aim of widening access to occupational therapy services in adherence to the Philippine Universal Health Care Act, the authors discussed “the practical aspects of developing community programs, leveraging the authors’ leadership involvement in three different community programs.”

Sagun, apart from teaching at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, is involved with the Quezon City Kabahagi Center for Children with Disabilities as its Director.

The book chapter is part of the new Routledge book entitled “” The book was edited by Michael Sy, Roi Charles Pineda, and Caroline Fischl.

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Meanwhile, Isabella Duran claimed the #4 rank and scored 85%. Queenee Apa-Ap scored 84.80% to occupy #5. Monique Esmile and Zharylle Gayeta shared the #7 place with their 84.40% score. Marion Lucero and Ross Ramos also shared the #8 place with their 84.20% score. Ray Torres secured the #9 place with his 84% score.

In this season, the University’s College of Rehabilitation Sciences alumni logged a 98.28% passing rate, posted by 57 new registered Thomasian Occupational Therapists, and was named #2 top-performing school.

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Within various technical panels are Thomasian academics and researchers, namely:

ACCOUNTANCY

1. Prof. Patricia M. Empleo, PhD

BIOLOGY, Molecular Biology, and Microbiology

1. Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. Nat.
2. Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD
3. Prof. John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD

CHEMISTRY

1. Academician Professor Emeritus Maribel G. Nonato, PhD
2. Assoc. Prof. Oliver B. Villaflores, PhD

FINE ARTS

1. Assoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

1. Prof. Marilu R. Madrunio, PhD (Chair)
2. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

GRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION

1. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

LITERATURE

1. Prof. John Jack G. Wigley, PhD

MARINE SCIENCE

1. Prof. Mary Beth B. Maningas, PhD

MATHEMATICS

1. Prof. Ma. Carlota B. Decena, PhD

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

1. Prof. Ma. Freida Z. Hapan, PhD

MEDICINE

1. Prof. Ma. Minerva P. Calimag, MD, PhD

MUSIC

1. Assoc. Prof. Dolores T. Andres, PhD

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

1. Asst. Prof. Kathlene Anne V. Hernandez, MHPEd

OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

1. Assoc. Prof. Ma. Ninia I. Calaca, MA, MAPhl
2. Prof. Belen L. Tangco, PhD

PHARMACY

1. Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD (Chair)

PHILOSOPHY

1. Prof. Robert A. Montaña, PhD

PHYSICAL THERAPY

1. Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH

PHYSICS

1. Assoc. Prof. Angelita Silverio, MS (ret.)

REAL ESTATE

1. Prof. Eduardo G. Ong, PhD

SOCIOLOGY

1. Prof. Clarence M. Batan, PhD
2. Asst. Prof. Louie Benedict R. Ignacio, PhD

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

1. Inst. Elinor Bautista
2. Asst. Prof. Judith S. Damian, MS (ret.)

The newly reconstituted technical panels will have a four-year term beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2028.

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In an August 26, 2024 letter to CRS Dean Anne Marie Aseron, MSPT, Philippine Academy of Occupational Therapists (PAOT) President Thea Sheila Ocheda-Alonto confirmed the re-accreditation by WFOT following the onsite visit of the deputized task force. 

Rated Excellent were the facilities and resources, including access to a variety of research journals and classrooms and laboratories to service student needs. Classroom and practice placement were rated Satisfactory, along with course syllabi.

In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Department of Occupational Therapy Chair Kathlene Anne Hernandez, MHPEd stated that the review cycle by WFOT involved the evaluation of the new Outcomes-Based Curriculum that goes beyond standards of the Commission on Higher Education and the standards of the Professional Regulation Commission and foreign credentialing institutions. “This curriculum is viewed as an enhanced program with greater emphasis on more aligned and occupation-focused courses that incorporate concepts of social health sciences,” Aseron said. The curriculum now follows a biopsychosocial model of disability, incorporate both international and local knowledge.

Hernandez also highlighted the role of the OT academic staff, all of whom have the relevant degrees and “rich clinical and industry experiences” that lend themselves to “providing real-world influence in placing occupations at the heart of curricular plans; equipped with the basic pedagogical skills necessary to perform various roles and responsibilities of OT in the academe; and contribute to the development of projects and programs of partner institutions for advocacy roles to name a few.”

BSOT students undergo more than 1,000 hours of in-person and virtual or hybrid clinical and non-clinical rotations here and abroad. The virtual and hybrid clinical modes helped surmount the limitations posed by the pandemic and opened doors for foreign inputs to enrich program quality. As early as college, too, the students were exposed to “various programs of the professional organization, facilitating the development of future leadership roles.”

The WFOT accreditation allows graduates to sit in foreign certification and licensure exams, to enroll in foreign post-graduate studies, and assures stakeholders that the program is compliant with global standards.

The BSOT program also enjoys the nod of the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance, which provided a five-year certification.

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The University logged a 68% passing rate in the said exams, higher than the 35.96% national passing rate.

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UST offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences and Graduate School, respectively. The bachelor’s program enjoys international recognitions by the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance and the World Federation of Occupational Therapy, as well as local recognition by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation.

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