PAFP, Pharex hold IT classes for docs

MANILA, Philippines – Over 200 family doctors recently attended Health Informatics, a series of computer and information technology (IT) classes specially designed for physicians.

The classes were organized and sponsored by the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians in close collaboration with Pharex.

Held during the 48th annual convention of the PAFP, Health Informatics is the intersection of information science, computer science and healthcare.

Pharex president Tomas Marcelo Agana III said the courses have been designed to help family doctors utilize the power of information technology to benefit their professional practice.

This is the sixth year that Pharex has been sponsoring computer and IT classes for members of the PAFP, which currently boasts over 7,000 members.

“Given their busy schedules, doctors today seldom have time to learn the latest updates in computers and information science. This is the reason we’ve supported the PAFP Health Informatics computer and IT education programs,” Agana said.

“Each program is compact and incisive and is conducted by highly skilled instructors to suit the competence level of doctors. The classes were also held during the annual convention of the PAFP to make these very convenient for members to attend,“ he added.

Liza Camba, Pharex product manager who has been supervising Health Informatics for several years now, said this year’s program has been compartmentalized into three modules to suit the varying levels of computer literacy of the attendees. 

Informatics 101 includes basic concepts, principles and skills in the use of the computer and how this can be integrated in the process of healthcare.

Meanwhile, Informatics 102 involves the study of the concepts and principles in interpreting medical literature and applying Evidence-Based Medicine in Practice.

Finally, Informatics 103 deals with the use of electronic health records, handheld devices and database development. Each module lasts for three hours and doctors are given a certificate and CME credits upon completion of a module.

“We’re also planning to cascade the program to the various chapters of the PAFP, particularly in key cities around the country,” Camba said.

Health Informatics is one of the many programs that Pharex is implementing to help support the continuing education of Filipino doctors, health professionals and students.

Aside from Health Informatics, the company implements various scholarship programs for doctors and medical students in various parts of the country.