DIVINE WORD HOSPITAL

Community Medicine Rotation

REFLECTION PAPER

PGI CORDA, HERMILEEN LACSAMANA

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30; This bible verse resembled my 2-month rotation in
Community Medicine. Prior to the rotation, we found ourselves weary, and tired
as operation assists required us to perform long hours. And in my case, I
suffered Dengue Fever and was admitted for 6 days. I was very grateful that we
were given opportunity to rest – and of course, be given opportunity to serve the
community with the Grace of the Lord. On our first meeting with Sister Felicity,
that happened during my birthday became one of my treasured memories. We
were able to share our vulnerabilities and strength and we were able to find
peace in prayer. I was happy as Sister Felicity gave us a Benedictine Medal as a
gift, and it is one of the things I wanted to have.
In our rotation, I enjoyed and felt fulfilled with every activity and
consultation we have done in every community. To be honest, being put in the
community as a doctor, and when patients put all their trust to me to manage
their health, it is very rewarding. It was our very first time to consult patients all by
ourselves, as usually there are residents who supervise us. I saw it as a big
responsibility, as I should be very careful of my management to each of my
patients. This has forced me to learn how to manage common diseases seen in
the community. I also had encountered complicated ones, but thanks to my co-
interns as we brainstorm the management when it is becoming difficult for me to
deal with.
 We also were tasked to provide health education in our community
barangays. We discussed the programs of Department of Health – “Iwas
Paputok” in December 2023, and “National Deworming Month” in January 2024.
We were able to discuss the impact of this programs in the community, and have
enlightened them its importance to be implemented in the community. I also
learned from the programs that we have discoursed to our partnered barangays.
I am very grateful that we are given a chance to spend time working
directly with patients in a community-based setting. This has given me exposure
to a wide range of patient background and health concerns, and I was able to
have insights about the socioeconomic factors that brings impact to health – such
as status, access to healthcare and cultural beliefs. We were able to solicit
medicines from the Department of Health and City Health Office, and these were
given to the community who sought medical care but are not able to afford the
medicines – this act made clear to me the value of Interprofessional collaboration
as we were able to work with institutions to promote holistic approach to patient
care. This also given me a chance to have hands-on experience allowing us to
develop clinical skills and be able to build rapport and relationship with my
patients. Community Medicine rotation has played a vital role in our training, as it
provided valuable experiences outside traditional hospital settings. I am thankful
to Ma’am Elaica and Ma’am Fatima, for making sure that we are comfortable with
each travel, and for the friendship we made as well.
During Thursdays of every week, we had Didactics with Dr. Angie Jaya,
and Dr. Ben Anover. In the first week, we discussed about the Top 10 Morbidity
and Mortality Causes, the levels of care and referral system and the Health
Delivery system of our country. For the second week, we learned about
Facilitating community meetings or assemblies, stakeholders’ analysis,
community engagements and community-based health program and project
management and capacity-building activities for community health workers and
members. For the 3rd week, the topic was Epidemiologic tools for community
health including community diagnosis and community-based research work.
Then, the following topics: Social determinants of health, WHO Building Blocks of
the Healthcare System, LGU Scorecard, Local Government Code of 1991,
Strategies on strengthening health systems and the Primary Health Care (Alma
Ata Declaration 1978) – was discussed on the 4 th week. Thereafter, UN
Declaration on Human Rights, Primary Health Care approach, Physicians’ Code
of Ethics, Medical Act of 1959 and UHC Law on the 5th week. Lastly, we
discussed about National and global health situations, Primary Health Care
Approach (Alma Ata Declaration), Pioneers and exemplars of Philippine health
system, Principles of social accountability, Primary Health Care Approach (Alma
Ata Declaration), and about creating an advocacy plan on the last week.
The topics stated above gave us learnings about Preventive and
Community Medicine (PCM), that is very important as it is considered as one of
the hardest subjects that we will take in the board exam. I am grateful that we
were given the opportunity to be enlightened about what really PCM subject
comprises. I am also grateful that Dr. Angie, and Dr. Ben were there to supervise
us and gave us their insights about each topic.
Our Community Medicine Rotation is my best rotation, so far. We were
able to give service while for us, we were given professional development in the
process. We have developed skills in communication, competency, teamwork,
and leadership which were very essential for effective healthcare delivery, and
for addressing the complex health needs of communities.