Our History
PSHPM and the Specialty of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Supportive, Hospice and Palliative Care (SHPC) also known as “hospice & palliative” care or simply “palliative care”-refers to the clinical practice while Supportive, Hospice & Palliative Medicine (SHPM) -also known as “hospice & palliative medicine ”or simply “palliative medicine”-refers to the specialty field. The goal of care is to prevent and relieve suffering and to support the best possible quality of life for patients and their families, regardless of the stage of illness.
The field of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in the Philippines has come a long way. Let us follow significant highlights in its history from it’s beginnings to the present.
Historical Milestones of
Hospice and Palliative Care in the Philippines
1989
The Concept of Hospice and Palliative Care was integrated in the Family Health Care Program of the Department of Family and Community Medicine (DFCM) of the University of the Philippines -Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). The focus of service then was Home Care.
1991
The first dedicated Hospice Home Care Program was established by the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) under then President and former DSWD Secretary, the late Mamita Pardo de Tavera, with Dr. Catherine L. Krings as Program Director who eventually became the Coordinator for the Hospice Care Program of DFCM in UP-PGH.
1994 to Early 2000’s
The concept of a distinct medical field of Hospice and Palliaitve Medicine (HPM) in the Philippines can be traced back to Dr. Josefina Magno, a Filipino Oncologist who was one of the pioneers of the Hospice Movement in the US, and one of the founders of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Magno was instrumental in the strengthening of the national hospice care movement and the establishment of Hospital-Based Hospice Care Program such as in Makati Medical Center ( 1994) and University of Santo Tomas Hospice Program (1997).
Community Based Hospices including Foundations and Disease Specific Programs incorporating the model of Hospice and Palliative Care also commenced during this period:
Madre de Amor Hospice in Laguna
Ayala Alabang Hospice in Muntinlupa
Kythe Foundation (East Avenue Medical Center)
Canossian Sisters of Charity in Bukidnon & Cagayan de Oro
Starfish Program in San Lazaro Medical Center
PALCARE Volunteer Group
Center for Health Improvement and Life Improvement Development (Childhaus)
2002
Establishment of the First Hospice and Palliative Medicine Program in UP-PGH. This was headed by Dr. Catherine L. Krings. This was followed by Dr. Agnes Bausa-Claudio (2004-2006) , Dr. Rachel Rosario ( 2006- 2009) and Dr. Manuel F. Medina (2010 - 2019).
2004
The Phillippine Cancer Society convened and launched the National Hospice and Palliative Care Council of the Philippines ( Hospice Philippines).
2007
The 7th Asia Pacific Hospice Conference was held in the Philippines. This was sponsored by the Phillippine Cancer Society and hosted by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Council of the Philippines.
2012
Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao offered the 2nd Sub-Specialty Fellowship Training Program with Dr. Rojim Sorrosa as section head.
2015
The Philippine Society of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (PSHPM) was established and recognized as a Sub-Specialty Society under the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians. The founding President then was Dr. Josefina Isidro-Lapena ( 2015-2017), followed by Dr. Rumalie Corvera ( 2017-2019).
The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) ordered the National Policy on Palliative and Hospice Care (AO 2015-0052) which aimed to set overall policy directions and identify the roles and functions of DOH and partner agencies in the provision and hospice care in hospitals, health facilities and communities.
2018 - 2019
The Society initiated the Specialty Examination for the Board Certification of Palliative Specialists.
Organization of 1st and 2nd Annual PSHPM National Convention, held in Manila and Davao respectively.
It was during the year 2019, when two substantial Bills were enacted into Law the first of which is Republic Act 11215 otherwise known as the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA) and Republic Act 11223 otherwise known as the Universal Health Care Law. The combined efforts of the Philippine Cancer Society and the Philippine Society of Hospice and Palliaitve Medicine was instrumental in including the provision of Hospice and Palliative Care Services in the Universal Health Care. The society participated in the various stakeholder meetings, Implementing Rules and Regulations, on these bills.
2020
With the current threat of the COVID -19 Pandemic , the Society in partnership with Hospice Philippines, Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians (PSPHP) and the Ruth Foundation released three Guidance Documents for Palliative Care. These guidance documents include (1) Care for Palliative and Bedridden Patients in Communities on Enhanced Community Quarantine (2) Guidance for Palliative Hospice and Bereavement Care for Covid-19 and other patients facing Life-Threatening Illness in Hospitals and (3) Triage Decisions, Shared Decision Making and Advanced Care Planning for Covid-19 Situation: A Guidance Document for Levels 2 and 3 Health Care Facilities.
Conversely, the Department of Health (DOH) released Department Order 2020-1431 which aims for the development of the Manual of Operations, Procedures and Standards and Training Modules with Phase One Implementation of National Palliative and Hospice Care Program, this is in light of the implementation of Republic Act 11215 and Republic Act. 11223. Together with other stakeholders the Society is currently a member and plays one of the lead roles in the newly created Technical Advisory Group for this project.
Contributors:
Dr. Agnes B. Bausa-Claudio, Dr. Rumalie A. Corvera, Dr. Karin Estepa-Garcia, Dr. Maria Fidelis C. Manalo, Dr. Rachael Marie B. Rosario
Updated as of 27 June 2020
Our New Identity
For our new identity, the hands are very prominent as they form a round shape icon that looks like a sun and a flower. The hands represent accessibility, connection, and care like the human touch. The the sun means universality while the flower represents both life and death — a reminder of the fragility of human life. In between the intersecting hands are leaves that signifies growth and collaboration.