OAR@UM Collection:

Evaluating the use of complementary therapies amongst patients undergoing radiotherapy in Malta

2023-05-26T07:30:40Z

Title: Evaluating the use of complementary therapies amongst patients undergoing radiotherapy in Malta Abstract: Purpose Limited research is found on the use of complementary therapies (CTs) amongst cancer patients in Malta. The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness and use of complementary therapies amongst patients undergoing radiotherapy in the oncology hospital in Malta. Objectives This study aimed to determine whether patient demographics affect the use of CTs, to investigate the patients’ awareness on locally available CTs and, to evaluate the willingness of patients to make use of locally available CTs. Methodology The research adopted a cross-sectional, non-experimental, prospective and descriptive research design. A quantitative approach with the addition of some qualitative aspects was employed. The data was collected using a self-designed questionnaire and distributed to all patients undergoing radical radiotherapy. Statistical tests were performed to analyse the data obtained from these findings. Results From a total of 140 accessible participants, 91 questionnaires were returned completed, giving a response rate of 65%. Findings revealed a higher percentage of females who had made use of complementary therapies (57.8% (n=91)). Patients aged 18-47 were the highest category who reported having used CTs (76.9% (n=91)). Respondents having a higher educational level had used complementary therapies the most (82.6%). Additionally, 88% (n=91) of participants were aware of at least 1 complementary therapy, the most common being massage (68.1%) followed by yoga (58.2%) and dietary supplements (46.2%). Overall, 96.6% (n=91) of patients were willing to make use of complementary therapies. Conclusions Results revealed the willingness of patients to use complementary therapies if freely offered within the state oncology hospital. Many patients were aware of at least one complementary therapy, however, the majority felt that more complementary therapies should be offered in Malta. It was recommended that further information on each type of complementary therapy should be made available to patients. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

Patients’ perception on waiting times during the radiotherapy pathway

2023-05-26T07:29:07Z

Title: Patients’ perception on waiting times during the radiotherapy pathway Abstract: Purpose: Prolonged waiting times can have a negative impact on the physical psychosocial well-being of cancer patients and have to be assessed. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to develop and administer a questionnaire to cancer patients treated with radiotherapy to evaluate their perception of waiting times throughout the radiotherapy treatment. Demographic and social factors that may have an impact on the patients perception on radiotherapy waiting times were also assessed. Factors that could improve the patients’ overall experience were also evaluated. Methodology: A cross-sectional, prospective, quantitative research design was used for the study. A self-designed questionnaire was distributed by intermediaries to all patients treated with radiotherapy in the months of March and April at the local oncology hospital. The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions with some open ended questions. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test, Friedman Test, and the Kruskal Wallis tests). Results: Forty-six out of sixty respondents completed the questionnaire. The majority of the patients rated the waiting times for radiotherapy as acceptable (37%) or highly acceptable (47.8%). Disruptions in daily routine was the most important factor affecting distress among female patients whereas males selected ‘maintaining a full bladder’ for causing the most distress. The majority of the patients (54%) agreed that the addition of background music in the waiting area could improve their waiting experience Conclusion: Overall the patients were satisfied with the waiting times for their radiotherapy treatment. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

Designing symptom specific dietary leaflets for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy : a delphi study

2023-05-26T07:27:36Z

Title: Designing symptom specific dietary leaflets for head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy : a delphi study Abstract: Purpose: To develop dietary leaflets that have reached consensus among healthcare professionals, that patients suffering from common Head and Neck (HN) Radiotherapy (RT) induced side effects can refer to for nutritional advice. These leaflets can be used in clinical practice for patients to maintain good nutritional status and cope better with the treatment. Objectives: To have a multi-disciplinary panel of participants working in an oncology centre in Malta reach consensus while developing dietary leaflets for use by patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy. Methodology: A Delphi approach was used. A panel of experts reviewed a series of dietary leaflets developed based on literature review. The panel was asked for feedback on these leaflets, amendments were made, and the leaflets were re-circulated over three rounds. After each round, participants would vote on major changes and vote on the likelihood of them using the leaflets in a clinical setting. Consensus was achieved when all participants identified that they would use the leaflets in clinical practice. Results: Participants reached consensus regarding the overall quality of the leaflets, with all participants voting “high likelihood” to use in their own clinical practice. Although individual items had opposite opinions (use of sugary gum vs. non-sugary gum), overall consensus was reached. Four final leaflets addressing: oral mucositis, xerostomia, taste loss, and radiation-induced nausea and vomiting were achieved. Conclusion: The participants reached consensus and developed leaflets that were based on literature recommendations for use for patients that, in their opinion, were acceptable for clinical use. The Delphi method was a good method to achieve the objective of this study. Description: B.Sc. (Hons)(Melit.)

Optimisation of the CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) scan protocol at a local general hospital in Malta

2023-05-26T07:24:18Z

Title: Optimisation of the CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) scan protocol at a local general hospital in Malta Abstract: Purpose Due to the increase in CTPA examinations being performed locally and the relative radiation risks associated with it, this study aimed at optimising the current CTPA protocol (100 kV with 50% IR) present at a local public general hospital in Malta by using a lower kV technique combined with a high Iterative Reconstruction (IR) (>50%) value. Objectives To identify the optimal IR value through a phantom study. Apply this in combination with a lower kV technique as the experimental protocol in the clinical setting and compare it to the current protocol in terms of radiation dose and image quality. Methodology The study was divided into 2 phases. Phase 1 consisted of an experimental study using an anthropomorphic phantom to identify the optimal IR value to be used in combination with the lower kV technique. During phase 2, 64 patients were recruited and equally divided into a control and experimental groups. The patients forming part of the control group were scanned using the current protocol while another 32 patients were imaged using the experimental protocol. The volume CT dose index (CTDIVOL), dose length product (DLP), size specific dose estimate (SSDE) and effective dose (ED) were calculated. Objective image quality was recorded in terms of contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and signal to noise ratio (SNR). Subjective image evaluation was performed by 3 radiologists performing Absolute Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) to assess image quality by using an image quality score tool. The resultant image quality scores were analysed using Visual Grading Characteristics (VGC). Results From the image quality and dose results in phase 1, the optimal scan protocol was found to be 60% IR combined with 80kV. The application of this protocol in a clinical setting resulted in a reduction (p<0.05) in mean CTDIVOL (49%), DLP (48%), SSDE (52%) and effective dose (49%). Objective image quality was improved (p<0.05) both in CNR (32%) and SNR (13%). Subjective image quality scores were higher for the current protocol but variation between the two protocols was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusions The results suggested that when applying the experimental protocol (80kV combined with 60% IR), radiation dose was reduced by approximately 50%, while still maintaining image quality at an acceptable diagnostic level. Description: M.Sc. Radiography(Melit.)