Due to COVID-19, remote or distance education has become the norm in the Philippines. Yet even in its second year, remote teaching and learning still face ongoing challenges, as does the need for teachers’ professional development. This paper describes a study that examined teachers’ perspectives on barriers and needs in professional development. The study involved 174 teachers who were teaching online courses in the National Capital Region. The participants completed a survey detailing their professional development frequency, perspectives, barriers, and needs, while eight teachers agreed to participate in a follow-up interview. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analysis have shown that teachers’ pedagogical and information technology skills requirements are influenced primarily by their prior professional development experiences and their need to apply active learning and innovative teaching ideas. Qualitative analyses indicate that teachers’ professional development needs are mostly focused on skills related to online teaching, information technology literacy, and conducting research. In addition, data indicated that barriers to professional development were primarily caused by financial and time constraints and a lack of teacher motivation and logistical support. In summary, for remote education to be sustainable, teachers need ongoing professional development as well as adequate logistical support.

Growing old is frequently linked with various challenges. Hence, it is important to understand how to age successfully. Drawing on the concept that an individual’s quality of life (QOL) is influenced by their demographics, coping strategies, resilience, and social participation, the current study reports on the findings of these variables among older adults in the Western Philippines. A total of 392 volunteer older adults were surveyed. Aside from the demographics such as age, gender, marital status, average monthly income, educational attainment, and health status, the data collected also included the 30-item coping strategies for the elderly, 14-item resilience scale, 12-item social participation scale, and 35-item older people’s QOL scale. Structural equation modeling was used to verify the parallel and serial mediating role of resilience and social participation within the relationship between coping strategies and QOL. Findings show that coping strategies alone are not enough to improve QOL. The only way to improve QOL is through resiliency, as well as the ability to participate in social activities. In essence, the QOL of older adults can be improved by encouraging them to have more social participation, and at the same time, understand how it takes to become resilient.

In the midst of COVID-19, radical change in the work environment further exacerbated the detrimental effects of critical illness in the intensive care unit (ICU). This may be heightened if the patient experiences a lamentable end-of-life experience due to inadequate end-of-life care (EoLC). Anchoring on the theory of bureaucratic caring and the peaceful end-of-life theory, insights can be gained into the motivations and behaviors that support the delivery of palliative care during COVID-19. With this having been having said, the objective of this study was to use a narrative approach to examine the lived experience of 12 nurses who provided EoLC in the COVID-19 ward of several hospitals in the Western Philippines. Participants’ narratives were transcribed, translated and analyzed. Among the themes that have emerged are: establishing a peaceful journey to death, holistic caring for the end of life, venturing into risky encounters in the call of duty, staying close amidst the reshaped work environment, and preparing the family life after a loved one’s departure. The study identified the importance of assisting patients on their journey to a peaceful death, but this journey was also accompanied by a sense of self-preservation and safety for colleagues and families.

Summary Background Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has risen dramatically since its introduction in 2004. Nurses play a critical role in screening, disease prevention and smoking cessation for their patient. Their knowledge and attitude related to e-cigarettes will play a major part in development of tobacco control activities. Aim Thus, this study was conducted to determine the knowledge and attitude toward e-cigarettes among undergraduate nursing students in the Philippines. Methods The participants of the study were 122 level four nursing students of West Visayas State University, Iloilo city, Philippines. A standardized self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data and statistical analyses were performed. Results Majority of the participants were female, were never smokers and were aware or conscious of the existence of the e-cigarettes but had poor knowledge on e-cigarettes. Furthermore, in terms of attitude the students as an entire group had a positive attitude opposing e-cigarette use. Never and former smokers had positive attitude opposing e-cigarette use while current smokers had negative attitude supporting e-cigarette use. There was no significant relationship between knowledge and attitude of nursing students towards e-cigarettes. Conclusion Nursing students did not have adequate knowledge regarding e-cigarettes but maintained a positive attitude opposing e-cigarette use. Poor knowledge did not influence the attitude of participants towards e-cigarettes.

COVID-19 patients' odyssey to peaceful repose includes the role of ICU nurses in three aspects of care, which include self-care, care of dying patients, and care of significant others.The purpose of this review is to identify an encompassing holistic approach to achieving a peaceful end of life. Discussion begins with the prevalence of end-of-life care, which is followed by the objectives and role of nurses with critically ill patients, and the various insights into the essence of a good or quality end-of-life care. It is hoped that by understanding the various role of nurses during COVID-19, educational implications can be provided.