The state of nursing research in PH

Nursing research plays a crucial role in advancing health-care practices, influencing policy, and enhancing nursing education. It forms the foundation for evidence-based clinical practice and guides the development of national health strategies.

However, despite several significant advancements, nursing research in the Philippines faces challenges that hinder its full potential. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the number of institutions offering doctoral nursing programs, 14 currently. But a significant disparity exists, with eight regions—Regions 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, BARMM, and Caraga—lacking universities that offer such programs.

This geographic gap presents a barrier to the development of nursing research expertise, particularly in underserved areas. While over 100 doctoral nursing graduates have emerged from these programs, many face challenges in translating their research into practice due to limitations in nursing policy and insufficient research funding. Moreover, the research output from these programs has not been sufficiently integrated into national healthcare policies or program developments, resulting in a gap in the effective utilization of this knowledge.

The Philippine Journal of Nursing, the oldest nursing journal in Southeast Asia, is classified as a Q4 journal. While it plays a vital role in publishing nursing research, it lags behind others in the region, highlighting the need for elevating the quality of nursing research publications in the Philippines to increase its global visibility.

A robust national nursing research agenda is currently lacking, resulting in fragmented efforts within the field. Without a clear research framework, the ability to align research priorities with national health-care needs is compromised, making it difficult to drive policy integration and ensure a cohesive approach to nursing research. None of the nursing schools in the Philippines currently rank among the Top 200 in the QS Global Rankings.

While two Filipino nurses were recognized in the Top 2 percent of global scientists by Stanford University, such recognition remains isolated, and there is an urgent need for systemic efforts to establish a stronger presence for Filipino nursing research on the global stage.

The infrastructure for nursing research in the Philippines remains underdeveloped. There is no central repository for nursing research, such as theses or dissertations, which limits accessibility for future researchers. Such lack significantly hinders the ability to build upon previous research. There is also the absence of a dedicated national institute for nursing research which could consolidate efforts, set national research agendas, and serve as a hub for collaboration, ensuring the translation of research findings into practice.

As well, there is no national nursing research fund, leaving Filipino nurse researchers dependent on external grants or personal resources, which is unsustainable in the long term.

To address these challenges, several strategic recommendations are proposed: Develop a national research agenda in collaboration with government agencies, academic institutions, and healthcare organizations. Establish a national institute of nursing research that could centralize leadership, coordination, and support for nursing research and bridge the gap between academic research and policy to ensure the translation of research findings into practice.

The government should allocate more funding for nursing research through dedicated grants, scholarships, and institutional support. This funding should be included in the Department of Health budget, as well as those of the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Department of Labor and Employment. Additionally, the Commission on Higher Education budget should support research to improve nursing education.

Filipino nurse researchers should actively engage in global research networks and collaborations to enhance the visibility and impact of Filipino research in addressing global health challenges. The FiND Network is well-positioned to do this. Efforts should be made as well to expand doctoral nursing education across all regions, especially in underserved areas.

Notwithstanding its challenges, the state of nursing research in the Philippines also presents considerable opportunities. By strengthening research infrastructure, securing adequate funding, and fostering international collaboration, the Philippines can establish a cohesive research framework that connects Filipino nurse researchers, aligns their efforts with national health priorities, and contributes to improving health care outcomes at home and abroad.

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Jerome Babate is the executive director of the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network, an international organization of nurses committed to uplifting the voices and contributions of Filipino nurses worldwide. Professor Rozzano Locsin serves as the network’s global advisor, while Pearl Ed Cuevas is current president of the Global Society for Philippine Nurse Researchers, Inc.