Zielabeth M. Conde Prof. Ma.

Elizabeth Grageda, PTRP, MHPED

DHPED HP -299

Integration of Individualized learning plan to Barangay Health Worker program

as a directive tool for mastery of specific competency

Chapter I.

Introduction

Background of the study

The maldistribution of primary health care professionals and health manpower

especially to rural and geographically isolated areas lead to a realization that the Alma

Ata 1978 goal of “Health for All” by the year 2000 was in great challenge to all

medical institutions and medical agencies worldwide. It has been documented that

in 1920s there had been shortage in doctors especially in rural areas (Sana, 2013).

The stipulated agenda of World Health Organization (WHO) regarding health

priorities for sustainable development in 2015 was stated to be remained aspirational

due to the availability and qualities of the competencies of the health workers (Global

strategy on human resource for health: Workforce 2030). It has been a global health

system challenge to recruit qualified health workforce to address health accessibility.

It was indicated in WHO milestone for 2030 to fill in 10 million additional manpower

to address the health needs of underserved communities. The challenged is being

directed to all medical institutions and medical agencies to come up with a strategy

that will deliver desirable outcome of extended and quality medical services

especially to underserved communities.

Through the adaptation of the community-based education, the development of

health manpower especially in the Philippines have generated numbers of community

health workers. Community health team under Department of Health (DOH)

comprises of midwives, barangay health workers (BHW), barangay nutrition scholars

(BNS), and parent leaders. They are the frontliners whose main role is to provide

primary care services in the community in accordance with the guidelines

promulgated by DOH. They provide assistance and support to physicians,dentist,

nutritionist and public health nurses. Specifically, BHW is under the office of

Bureau of Local Health Development (BLHD) which is an extended category of

community health care providers. They are community volunteers who receives

benefits and incentives through Republic Act 7883, the Barangay Health Workers

Benefits and Incentives Act of 1995. The competencies of these volunteers were

being challenged since the qualification of BHW undergone democratic admission

system. This system requires atleast high school graduates who are nominated and

supported by their own barangays (Sana, 2013) or either be trained to an accredited

school who offers community-oriented education. They need to be volunteers for

three years prior to gaining accreditation as BHW in their respective communities.

So far, Philippines has total number of 192, 562 active and accredited BHW

nationwide. Hence, gap on task distribution, role management and quality of

competencies of BHW are the main concern of this study. Out of more than a

hundred million population in the Philippines, the outnumbered BHW significantly

showed the need to establish an appropriate strategy to increase numbers of

community health team which should also comply with quality and mastery of skills

since they deal with lots of community health-related problems and issues. One of

the main responsibilities of BHW is to communicate with people in the community,

promote health prevention and health promotion. In order to reduce health problems

in the community, they are tasked to become community organizer, educator and care

provider. They organize the community to provide care and educate people about

health-related problems and issues. Hence, there is this expectation of mastery and

acquisition of relevant skills necessary for community development, community

health education as to health promotion and health prevention. Thus, this study

focuses and suggests integration of individualized learning plan (ILP) as directive tool

to master competencies of BHW as part of learning process during training and

community immersion. The use of ILP as directive tool for BHW help them

achieve and master the roles and developmental tasks as indicated above. In many

studies, ILP serves as a tool for collaboration, self-direction, and milestone in

achieving attainable goals and specific competencies among learners. ILP has been

used and even mandated in almost all states in America and some parts in Europe.

In the study of pediatrics residency, there have been identified elements and

components of ILP. As such are: a. identification of strength and weakness, b.

assessment of long-term career goal, c. planning of specific goal, d. generation of

strategies to achieve goal, e. setting of timeline and milestone, e. checking of goal

achievement, f. reflection on results of set goals g. revision of goal and re-planning.

As part of ILP elements and component, reflective learning tends to discover own

strength and weaknesses, personal interest, needs and learn how to best use this

understanding towards success. This entails stronger sense of ownership over

their education hence it developed interpersonal skills such as confidence and

self-awareness. Further understanding will be discussed in the review of literature

about individualized learning plan and the results of other studies that indicated

positive results and desirable recommendation.

Statement of the Problem

This study will mainly focus on the individualized learning plan as directive tool

to master competencies of Barangay health workers. It is being used in many

countries especially in the U.S. to achieve mastery of skills and competencies.

Hence, this study will try to answer the following questions:

1. What is the significance of integration of individualized learning plan to BHW

program?

2. What would be the perception of BHW on the application of ILP to master

specific skills?

Objectives of the Study

The study aims to address the problem relating to achieving mastery and quality

learning of BHW with the following objectives:

1. To determine the significance of individualized learning plan integration to

Barangay health worker program during training and immersion.

2. To determine the perception of BHW on the application of ILP to master specific

skills necessary for health care services in the community.

Significance of the Study

 The study will be conducted to prove that ILP as a directive tool will help to

develop a specific competency and mastery of skills among BHWs which is necessary

for the delivery of quality health care services in the community. This will address

the gap on task distribution, role management, and quality of competencies of BHW.

This will be beneficial to stakeholders, policy makers, and all recipients of the study

since it focuses on the quality of learning and performance of BHW in the community.

This may also give relevant concepts to quality of education in the Philippines that is

significant to educators, researchers, administrators and policy makers to improve the

county’s educational system aligned to 21st century education system. Many studies

showed significant success in utilization of ILP. Hence, in contribution to ongoing

changes in Philippine education system due to the advent of K-12 curriculum, it is

recommended to integrate ILP to learning process of either andragogy or pedagogy.

References:

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