Camarillo, E. L. L. (2017). Barangay gatekeeping as a strategy to strengthen primary healthcare service delivery in the municipality of Montevista, Compostela Valley Province (Unpublished master's thesis). Graduate School of Public and Development Management, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Graduate School of Public and Development Management. Health Systems and Development. Batch 7 Thesis (MPM-HSD)--Development Academy of the Philippines.

An effective service delivery is fundamental in any health systems. In any well-functioning health systems, the service delivery should have the set of defined characteristics. However, current trend in healthcare service delivery suffers from several shortcomings. Strengthening service delivery is vital to the achievement of a healthier population. To monitor progress strengthening service delivery, it is necessary to determine the dimensions along which progress would be measured. In this study's cases, timely provision and patient satisfaction is in focus. Delays in medical care have become a symptom of poor service delivery in public health facilities in the world. In addition, these are the result of disparity between demand for a service and the capacity available to meet that demand. Similarly, Montevista Rural Health Unit encounters and expanding patient load and greater patient expectations. Such rising demands amidst limited resources causes delay in health services. This resulted in low patient satisfaction and unpleasant primary health care experience. The aim of the APP is to strengthen the primary healthcare service delivery in Montevista as measured by patient waiting time and satisfaction. Specifically, this aims to determine the current status of health service delivery, its gaps, and the possible strategies to address the gaps. Findings from this study ascertained varying degree of waiting time and different patient experiences but a common theme of disappointment and dissatisfaction. The high patient load couple with identified gaps in the health service delivery (unavailability of a doctor and unharnessed health workers; fragmented local health system and poor referral system; and, non-functional health stations) are the primary determinant for the poor service delivery. The queuing was reduced and patient satisfaction was improved by the introduction of the concept of "Barangay Gatekeeping" where specific national health programs were tailored-fit for the community and health workers were empowered. This was realized through three strategic thrust: health promotion and awareness intensification; develop quality services through development of human resources for health (Supply Management); and, patient flow improvement through local health guidelines (Demand Management). This study has attempted to demonstrate that Barangay Gatekeeping being a management to both supply and demand side is critical to improving patients' ability to receive the appropriate care in a timely fashion thus improving efficiency and accessibility of health services.