In the Summer 2014 Issue of Dignitas, we provided a review of the first five years of this initiative, as well as updates from a number of past participants. We continue with an update from another past scholar.
In June 2014, our Ethics Review Committee, which I head, just had a joint survey visit by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) and the Forum for Ethical Review Committees in the Asian and WesternPacific Region (FERCAP). FERCAP implements the Strategic Initiative forDeveloping Capacity in Ethical Review (SIDCER) recognition program in Asia, which has conferred recognition of over 100 ethics committees in the region. We are now working on implementing the recommendations that these two groups made to our ethics review committees. Based on the findings, I recently stepped down from my Ethics Review Committee chairmanship to avoid potential conflicts of interest with the autonomy of the committee since I also occupy a position in the research institute as the director for education and training. After our joint survey, I also had the chance to be part of this accreditation team when they visited another hospital. It was a very enlightening experience looking at another ethics review committee and helping them in their accreditation process as well.
Currently, I am writing a proposal on the preparedness ofFilipino patients on advance directives. Since this is a recent development for us, I am looking forward to working with some physicians whose patients are the ones who are more likely to have a high risk of dying because of their illness.I have teamed up with 2 cardiologists so far, and I plan to include as many patients as possible.
I am also exploring the possibility of moving into senior administration of research for my institution due to an announced resignation that is set to occur later this year. I will keep you updated if this exciting opportunity comes to pass.
