Letran High School alumnus and Batch 2009 valedictorian Dr. Jeffrey Arboleda — a board-certified rehabilitation medicine physician with subspecialties in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and interventional pain medicine — has recently authored a peer-reviewed research study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, contributing to ongoing advancements in telehealth assessment for Filipino patients.

The study, “Linguistic Validation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Shoulder Telehealth Assessment Tool (STAT) for Filipino Patients with Musculoskeletal Shoulder Condition,” addresses a practical challenge in telerehabilitation: how to conduct reliable shoulder assessments when internet connectivity and video quality are limited. The research focused on developing a Filipino version of a pictorial, patient- guided assessment tool designed to support remote clinical evaluation.

Through a structured multi-phase validation process, the researchers ensured that the Filipino adaptation was culturally appropriate, clinically relevant, and usable in real-world settings. Findings demonstrated excellent content validity, strong interrater reliability, and good internal consistency — indicating that the tool produces dependable assessment outcomes. The study also examined patient usability, confirming that the pain, activity, range-of-motion, and special test components are suitable for teleconsult settings, while recommending further refinement for strength assessment clarity.

The research highlights how culturally adapted clinical tools can improve access to rehabilitation services, particularly for patients with limited digital infrastructure. By bridging language, culture, and healthcare delivery, the work supports more inclusive and efficient telemedicine practices in the Philippine setting.

The Colegio extends its congratulations to Dr. Jeffrey Arboleda for this scholarly contribution and recognizes the continued impact of its alumni in advancing healthcare innovation and professional excellence.

Arriba!

You can access the full research article here: https://rehab.jmir.org/2026/1/e67974