https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/24242 2026-04-04T21:20:42Z 2026-04-04T21:20:42Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31586 2018-07-06T07:30:30Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The early days of being a nurse : understanding the student-to-worker transition in nursing Abstract: Background: The transition from student to nurse is an exciting but challenging period for new nurses. With the greater demands being placed upon healthcare today, new nurses are expected to ‘hit the ground running’. However, new nurses are unprepared for their new role and experience ‘reality shock’. With the importance of the first few months of work for a successful transition, a deeper understanding of the transition is required especially for Maltese nurses. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to explore the transition experience from student to qualified nurse, acquire an understanding of what factors have positive and negative effects on the transition, explore the needs and challenges faced by newly-qualified nurses, their readiness to be a nurse and their thoughts on acquiring the identity of a nurse Design: A qualitative single case study design was employed for the study. Settings: The local acute state general hospital. Participants: 12 newly-graduated nurses who completed the baccalaureate nursing course in 2016 agreed to participate in the study. The participants consisted of 10 females and 2 males whose ages ranged from 20 to 33 years of age. Methods: Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were carried out on a one-to-one basis between the researcher and the participants. Results: Four themes emerged from the data; A whirlwind of emotions: Settling into professional life and realising there is so much more to learn; The nurse in transition: Adjusting to a change in identity; Being everywhere: Relief nursing and a need for a sense of belonging and Lost in the system: The importance of support and guidance for neophyte nurses. Conclusions: The transition is a difficult period for new nurses during which they require the support and understanding of the organisation. A variety of ways may be utilised to aid the transition for newly-graduated nurses which if unsuccessful could have repercussions on the entire healthcare sector. Description: M.SC.NURSING

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31585 2019-03-18T13:42:16Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Quality of life and spiritual coping strategies in older adults who have sustained a fractured femur : a cross-sectional survey Abstract: Background: Quality of life consists of physical, psychological, social and environmental dimensions. Femoral fractures are associated with declines in quality of life and complicated recovery in which patients rarely recover completely to prefracture health status. Spiritual coping strategies, consisting of religious and nonreligious factors can be used by patents to enhance their quality of life. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between quality of life and spiritual coping strategies in patients who have sustained a fractured femur and possible significant differences between subgroups of demographic characteristics. Design: A quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional research design was used. Settings: Participants were sent questionnaires in their own private homes or longterm care institutions according to where they resided. Participants: Maltese speaking older adults over 65 years of age and who have sustained a fractured femur in 2015 were invited. An intermediary person identified eligible participants, resulting in 299 potential participants. Methods: Data was collected through questionnaires, consisting of the WHOQOLBREF questionnaire and the spiritual coping strategies scale. Questionnaires were sent to participants by post and returned via a self-addressed stamped envelope. Two reminders were sent to participants, three weeks apart. Results: The poorest quality of life was experienced in the physical and psychological domains. Demographic variables such as being over 80 years of age, being female, living in an elderly home, having poor mobility status, being in pain were related to significant declines in quality of life and less frequent use of spiritual coping strategies. Scores for quality of life and spiritual coping strategies were positively correlated together. The use of non-religious coping was the best predictor of quality of life following a fractured femur. Conclusions: A fractured femur had serious implications on participants’ quality of life which could be minimised by promoting the use of spiritual coping strategies, particularly non-religious coping strategies which focus on family and interpersonal relationships. Description: M.SC.NURSING

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31555 2018-07-04T08:27:49Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Reducing COPD exacerbations : LABA/ICS combination therapy vs LABA monotherapy Abstract: Background: This review evaluates the pharmacological management of COPD regarding the efficacy of LABA monotherapy and LABA/ICS combination therapy on the rate of exacerbations of the disease. A research question was formulated: In adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the use of long-acting β2-agonists in combination with inhaled corticosteroids more effective than the use of long-acting β2- agonists alone in reducing the rate of exacerbations? The PICO framework being: the Population including adults with COPD, the Intervention comprising of LABA combined with ICS, the Comparison encompassing LABA alone, and the Outcome is reducing the rate of exacerbations. Method: A literature search was carried out by searching through databases and reference lists. The inclusion criteria comprised of fulltext articles published in English between 2006 and 2016 in a peer reviewed journal, containing any specific LABA and ICS. Studies that included patients younger than 18 years old or who had asthma, comparing the outcome of any drugs other than LABA/ICS combination therapy with LABA monotherapy, unpublished articles, and secondary sources were excluded. Two meta-analyses, three systematic reviews and three RCTs were obtained and appraised using the relevant CASP tools. Findings suggest that combination therapy with LABA and ICS is more effective than monotherapy with LABA alone in decreasing the rate of moderate-to-severe exacerbations in patients over 40 years old with severe but stable COPD who have experienced at least one or frequent exacerbations. The identification of literature gaps suggests that further research is required. Implications and recommendations include the development of a standardised ‘exacerbation’ definition, evaluating the effects of the intervention and comparison immediately following an exacerbation, and educating patients and healthcare professionals regarding current research findings. Conclusion: Insight was gained regarding the importance of pharmacological management and EBP in the clinical setting. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31547 2018-07-06T08:56:00Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Electrical stimulation versus muscle strength training for pain reduction in knee osteoarthritis Abstract: Knee osteoarthritis is a condition commonly found in elderly individuals. The pain associated with it often limits these individuals from daily activities, sometimes also resulting in isolation from society. Most elderly individuals may already have prescribed drugs for co-existing medical conditions, hence, they are often reluctant to take more medications. In an effort to decrease polypharmacy in the elderly, this dissertation compares two nonpharmacological substitutes for drugs in order to rule out which is the most effective in treating pain. The research question which was formed in order to guide the researcher through the study was: “In older individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis, is electrical stimulation as compared to muscle strength training more effective in managing pain?” With regards to the PICO framework, the population (P) included individuals over the age of 50 years suffering from knee osteoarthritis and the intervention (I), electrical stimulation, was compared (C) to muscle strength training. The outcome (O) was pain relief. A search using multiple databases was carried out in order to retrieve relevant articles. The included articles were from the past 10 years and were specifically in English or Maltese. The ages which were included were those from 50 years onwards and could be either male or female suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Three randomized controlled trials, four systematic reviews and two meta-analyses were retrieved. These articles were critically appraised using a critical skills programme tool, which helped the researcher evaluate each study for its reliability and validity. Ethical issues were also addressed. Current literature suggests that both interventions are effective in treating pain, but further research on dosage is still required for both interventions. More research on electrical stimulation and its effects and side effects is also needed. Future research and data collection are recommended with regards to the local situation. Raised awareness through education and workshops on non-pharmacological methods for relieving pain caused by knee osteoarthritis were also suggested. This dissertation found that electrical stimulation and muscle strength training are equally effective in relieving pain in patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z