Nursing research plays a crucial role in advancing healthcare 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. This commentary analyzes the current state of nursing research in the country, identifies gaps, and proposes a path forward to foster a more dynamic and impactful nursing research environment.
In recent years, the Philippines has witnessed a steady increase in the number of institutions offering doctoral nursing programs. Currently, 14 higher education institutions (HEIs) provide doctoral degrees in nursing. However, a significant disparity exists, with eight regions—Regions 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, BARMM, and Caraga—lacking any universities that offer doctoral nursing 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 doctoral 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 (PJN), the oldest nursing journal in Southeast Asia, is classified as a Q4 journal. While PJN plays a vital role in publishing nursing research, it lags behind others in the region—such as Indonesia’s Belitung Nursing Journal, which achieved Q2 classification within a short period since its launch in 2015. This highlights 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 healthcare needs is compromised, making it difficult to drive policy integration and ensure a cohesive approach to nursing research.
The University of the Philippines College of Nursing (UPCN) has graduated 28 PhDs in its 46-year history, demonstrating the slow pace of growth in nursing research in the country. Furthermore, none of the nursing schools in the Philippines currently rank among the Top 200 in the QS Global Rankings. In comparison, three nursing schools in Asia have made it to the Top 20, underlining the need for greater investment in nursing research and international collaboration to elevate Filipino nursing education and research globally.
Recently, two Filipino nurses were recognized in the Top 2 percent of global scientists by Stanford University, exemplifying the potential of Filipino nurse researchers. However, such recognitions remain 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. This lack of centralized access significantly hinders the ability to build upon previous research. Additionally, the absence of a dedicated national institute for nursing research further exacerbates the challenges. Such an institute could consolidate efforts, set national research agendas, and serve as a hub for collaboration, ensuring the translation of research findings into practice.
There is also no national nursing research fund, leaving Filipino nurse researchers dependent on external grants or personal resources, which is unsustainable in the long term. The Global Society for Philippine Nurse Researchers Incorporated (GSPNRI) conducts annual conferences, but these events are limited in scope, and participation is often hindered by logistical and funding challenges. While important, GSPNRI’s efforts need further formalized international collaborations to broaden the impact of Filipino nursing research on global healthcare.
Moreover, two Sigma Theta Tau chapters, at Silliman University and the University of the Philippines, as well as a virtual chapter, offer avenues for networking and collaboration. However, these efforts have not been fully leveraged to maximize global engagement and participation in cutting-edge research.
The challenges that continue to limit the development of nursing research in the Philippines are multifaceted. Key challenges include:
- Limited Funding: Research in nursing is often underfunded, restricting the scope and impact of studies. This lack of financial support hinders the ability to engage in large-scale, transformative research.
- Lack of Policy Integration: Despite the growing number of doctoral nursing graduates, no nursing research has been integrated into national policy or program development. This highlights the need for stronger ties between academic research and government policy-making.
- Geographic Disparities: Many regions in the Philippines lack access to doctoral nursing education and research opportunities, exacerbating disparities in healthcare delivery and research output across the country.
- Absence of a National Research Framework: The lack of a cohesive national nursing research agenda results in fragmented efforts that are not aligned with national healthcare priorities.
To address these challenges, several strategic recommendations are proposed:
- Develop a National Nursing Research Agenda: A national research agenda, developed in collaboration with government agencies, academic institutions, and healthcare organizations, is essential to guide nursing research efforts. The GSPNRI could take the lead in this initiative.
- Establish a National Institute of Nursing Research: A dedicated institute could centralize leadership, coordination, and support for nursing research, bridging the gap between academic research and policy. This would ensure the translation of research findings into practice.
- Increase Funding and Support: The Philippine 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 (DOH) budget, as well as in other departments such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Department of Labor and Employment. Additionally, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) budget should support research to improve nursing education.
- Promote International Collaboration: Filipino nurse researchers should actively engage in global research networks and collaborations. Strengthening international ties will enhance the visibility and impact of Filipino research in addressing global health challenges. The FiND Network is well-positioned to connect Filipino nurse researchers with global collaborators.
- Expand Doctoral Nursing Programs: Efforts should be made to expand doctoral nursing education across all regions of the Philippines, especially in underserved areas. This expansion will ensure that more regions have access to advanced nursing education and can contribute to the development of nursing research.
The state of nursing research in the Philippines presents both significant challenges and considerable opportunities. Although progress has been made in producing doctoral graduates and expanding research topics, more is needed to cultivate a sustainable and impactful research culture. By strengthening research infrastructure, securing adequate funding, and fostering international collaboration, the Philippines can position itself as a leader in nursing research. This will ultimately benefit both the national and global healthcare systems. The Philippines must take decisive steps to establish a cohesive research framework that connects Filipino nurse researchers, aligns their efforts with national health priorities, and contributes to improving healthcare outcomes at home and abroad.
Jerome Babate, PhD, MBA, RN, LCLP
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, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor Rozzano Locsin serves as Global Advisor of the Filipino Nursing Diaspora Network, offering visionary leadership rooted in transpersonal caring and advancing the global visibility of Filipino nursing scholarship.
Pearl Ed Cuevas, PhD, RN, FGNLA
Pearl Ed Cuevas is the current President of the Global Society for Philippine Nurse Researchers, Inc., fostering a robust research culture and advancing evidence-based practice among Filipino nurse scholars.
