by Dani G. Ortega, CON
College of Nursing faculty member, Asst. Prof. Geraldine Ridad, wins first place in the nationwide 3-Minute Pitch to Policymakers Competition conducted by the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) on August 14, 2020.
Asst. Prof. Ridad bested competitors from colleges and universities representing the different regional health research and development consortia of the Philippines in the contest that was held via Zoom and Facebook Live.
The 3-Minute Pitch to Policymakers Competition, which is in its third year, is a contest conducted by the DOST-PCHRD to help health researchers develop their communication skills and experience in presentation of completed health research studies to policymakers.
Dr. Hazel Anne L. Catublas of the National Capital Region (NCR) won second place while Mr. Michael G. Bacus of Region XI won third place. Dr. Ronell D. dela Rosa of Region III won the People’s Choice Award.
Asst. Prof. Ridad, who represented the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Health Research and Development (NorMinCoHRD) of Region X, also won P30,000 for pitching the research project entitled, “Project DiabEHT: An Approach to Improve Self-Care Management of Diabetes”.
The research project aims to increase diabetes patients’ confidence in managing their diabetes.
It has three components: (1) Weekly support group activities and lecture series on diabetes; (2) Installation and use of the DiabEHT mobile app; and (3) Diabooth in the health center.
The research study looked into how health care professionals and the government can take advantage of technology and the popularity of smartphones and integrating these into patient care.
Asst. Prof. Ridad, in her 3-minute pitch, urged the consideration of the integration of and improvement of Project DiabEHT in government programs to beat diabetes.
Asst. Prof. Ridad conducted the research study with three CON students (Val Clinton Sisi-Maybituin, Carlito Yana-Bella, Jr., and Karla Mae Rivera-Canete); one faculty member from the College of Computer Studies (Asst. Prof. Erik Louwe Rauto-Sala); and an Information Technology graduate of the Institute, Omar Khayyam Mackno-Usman.