Site icon Philippine Dermatological Society

Taytayan: Bridging Access to Dermatologic Care for Distant Communities

Taytayan: Bridging Access to Dermatologic Care for Distant Communities

On June 30, 2021, the Philippine Dermatological Society, together with the UP-PGH Department of Dermatology, hosted a Continuing Medical Education (CME) entitled “Taytayan: Bridging Access to Dermatologic Care for Distant Communities”. The event was opened by the PGH CME Head for this year, Dr. Arunee Siripunvarapon, who also acted as the moderator throughout the event. It started with an Opening Prayer by Dr. Maria Christina F. Batac, followed smoothly by the Philippine National Anthem and the PDS Hymn, and Opening Remarks by both PDS President Dr. Francisco Rivera IV, and PGH Department of Dermatology Chairperson, Dr. Eilleen Liesl A. Cubillan. An interesting case of Terra Firma Forme Dermatosis, referred by a doctor-to-the-barrios from Zamboanga del Norte to a dermatology resident in PGH, and diagnosed and managed completely via Teledermatology, was presented by second year resident, Dr. Amanda Christine F. Esquivel. This was followed by an overview of the history of Teledermatology in PGH, by one of the pioneers of Teledermatology in our institution, Dr. Belen L. Dofitas. After, there was a segment featuring stories from the community by various former and current community doctors: Dr. Doha Mae Laurisse Manalo, a DTTB herself before joining the department as a resident, as well as Dr. Mike Gianan, Dr. Kei Piperno, and Dr. Lemuel Non. They shared their experiences referring dermatologic cases to PGH and her dermatology consultants and residents, and how helpful it was to have specialists to refer difficult cases to. After this, Dr. Anthony Cordero, the current director of the UP Manila Community Health and Development Program, discussed the context of Teledermatology in the Philippines, laid down a framework for a program – and possible partnership – with rural communities, and described the steps in working with the community to achieve these goals. Last but definitely not the least, Dr. Iris Thiele Isip-Tan, Chief of the UP Medical Informatics Unit, threshed out how useful Teledermatology was in low resource settings, and how it has had and continues to have an important role to play in the diagnosis and management of rare disease in rural areas. There was a lively ten minute Open Forum, followed by Closing Remarks from PDS Vice President Dr. Noemie Salta-Ramos. The program was smooth and featured a refreshing, timely, and very relevant take on Teledermatology, showcasing how partnerships with the community help dermatologists provide our expertise and ultimately, better care, to patients in these far flung areas.

Picture 1. Dr. Francisco Rivera IV, PDS President, gives his Opening Remarks

Picture 2. Dr. Eileen Liesl A. Cubillan, Chairman of the UP-PGH Department of Dermatology, gives her Welcoming Remarks

Picture 3. Dr. Amanda Esquivel gives the case presentation on Terra Firma Forme Dermatosis

Picture 4. Dr. Belen Dofitas gives her lecture on the history of Teledermatology in UP-PGH

Picture 5. Dr. Kei Piperno, a doctor to the barrios, shares a case he referred to UP PGH

Picture 6. Dr. Anthony Dofitas gives his lecture on Teledermatology in the community

Picture 7. Dr. Iris Thiele Isip-Tan gives his lecture on Teledermatology in the low resource settings

Picture 8. Dr. Arunee Siripunvarapon moderates the Open Forum

Picture 9. Group photo of all panelists and event organizers

Exit mobile version