Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP) earned regional research recognition after a study by the College of Allied Medical Sciences (CAMS) won first place in the Poster Presentation category at the 4th Regional Student Research Colloquium on October 15, 2026, at the University Baguio (UB) Centennial Hall.
The research paper, titled “Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of Public and Private Hospital Pharmacists on Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija: A Comparative Analysis,” placed first among 37 entries in the category.
The study was led by principal investigator Jewel Jade M. Ramos, with co-investigators Nicole Ann M. Tubieros, Elieza Gwyneth Arocena, and Faye Ann V. De Guzman, under the research advisership of Rodrigo V. Canibas Jr., RPh. Their paper examined hospital pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), a clinical practice that measures drug concentrations in the blood to help optimize medication dosages, minimize toxicity, and improve patient outcomes.
The research compared pharmacists from public and private hospitals in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, focusing on their understanding of TDM principles, attitudes towards its implementation, and perceptions of its application in daily hospital practice.
Findings showed that pharmacists demonstrated high levels of knowledge and positive attitudes and perceptions towards TDM. The study also highlighted the importance of professional experience and educational background in understanding and implementing the practice.
Conducted through a descriptive cross-sectional research design, the study gathered data using a structured, validated questionnaire, which was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics.
The researchers recommended expanding the study’s participant pool, including other healthcare professionals familiar with TDM, and exploring additional variables to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing its implementation in hospitals.
Organized by the University of Baguio through its Research Innovation, Extension, Community Outreach, and Sustainability (RIECOS) unit, the colloquium carried the theme “Synergistic Discovery: Advancing Knowledge Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Collective Inquiry.”
The event brought student researchers together to present their work, exchange insights, and promote scholarly practice, critical thinking, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Ramos described the experience as meaningful and fulfilling, providing an opportunity to present the team’s research, learn from fellow student researchers, and contribute to an academic gathering that advances research and knowledge-sharing.
The achievements highlight the WUP’s contribution to student-led research and underscore the role of pharmacy research in strengthening clinical practice and supporting safer, more effective patient care.
Article by Emily G. Agumbay (PIO)
Photo Courtesy of College of Allied Medical Science
