https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/319 2026-09-16T23:12:26Z 2026-09-16T23:12:26Z Axiak, Geoffrey Mamo, Julian Scicluna Ward, Corinne https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148924 2026-09-04T09:36:12Z 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Identifying the competencies for developing a nursing competence tool through a Delphi study approach Authors: Axiak, Geoffrey; Mamo, Julian; Scicluna Ward, Corinne Abstract: Competencies form the basis of up-to-date practice. In today’s world it is expected that anyone practicing any profession will be proficient and professional. That is why assessing the competency of professionals, including nurses, is critical to maintaining a safe and professional service. This study aims to identify nursing competencies that are relevant to all areas of nursing. This article will outline the literature search undertaken plus the other processes that the authors undertook to identify the competencies relevant to nursing in Malta.

2026-03-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148923 2026-09-04T09:29:40Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Digital competency nursing self-assessment tool (DiCoNSaT) : development and validation of a nursing digital competency assessment instrument : a conference report Abstract: The presentation introduced the Digital Competency Nursing Self-Assessment Tool (DiCoNSaT), a doctoral research project undertaken at the University of Malta aimed at developing and validating a comprehensive instrument for assessing nursing competence within digitally enabled healthcare environments. The project responds to the growing need for standardized methods of evaluating nursing competencies amidst increasing technological integration in healthcare systems.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Walicka, Magdalena La Rosa, Giusy Rita Maria Ceriello, Antonio Martin, Alison Polosa, Riccardo Almustafa, Bader Ali Anastasi, Erika Bellanca, Carlo Maria Bernardini, Renato Calcagno, Damiano Campagna, Davide Cannarella, Rossella Caponnetto, Pasquale Ceriello, Antonio Cohen, Gal Di Ciaula, Agostino Di Pino, Antonino Emma, Rosalia Franek, Edward George, Jacob Geraci, Giulio Iqbal, Farrukh Kengne, Andre Pascal La Rosa, Giusy Rita Maria Le Dinh, Phuong Magliano, Dianna J. Martin, Alison McCrimmon, Rory J. Misra, Anoop Piro, Salvatore Polosa, Riccardo Raza, Syed Abbas Russo, Cristina Saboo, Banshi Sammut, Roberta Sesti, Giorgio Sharma, Pankaj Somasundaram, Noel Walicka, Magdalena Yabe, Daisuke https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148922 2026-09-04T09:10:45Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Smoking cessation and harm reduction in type 2 diabetes : development of practical recommendations from the DiaSmokeFree Working Group Authors: Walicka, Magdalena; La Rosa, Giusy Rita Maria; Ceriello, Antonio; Martin, Alison; Polosa, Riccardo; Almustafa, Bader Ali; Anastasi, Erika; Bellanca, Carlo Maria; Bernardini, Renato; Calcagno, Damiano; Campagna, Davide; Cannarella, Rossella; Caponnetto, Pasquale; Ceriello, Antonio; Cohen, Gal; Di Ciaula, Agostino; Di Pino, Antonino; Emma, Rosalia; Franek, Edward; George, Jacob; Geraci, Giulio; Iqbal, Farrukh; Kengne, Andre Pascal; La Rosa, Giusy Rita Maria; Le Dinh, Phuong; Magliano, Dianna J.; Martin, Alison; McCrimmon, Rory J.; Misra, Anoop; Piro, Salvatore; Polosa, Riccardo; Raza, Syed Abbas; Russo, Cristina; Saboo, Banshi; Sammut, Roberta; Sesti, Giorgio; Sharma, Pankaj; Somasundaram, Noel; Walicka, Magdalena; Yabe, Daisuke Abstract: Smoking is a major modifiable risk factor in type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet cessation support remains inconsistently integrated into diabetes care. Clinicians face diabetes-specific barriers, including concerns about weight gain, glycemic variability, polypharmacy, limited consultation time, and lack of practical, tailored guidance. To address this gap, the Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, convened the DiaSmokeFree Working Group, an international multidisciplinary panel of 35 experts from 13 countries. The group used a structured, multi-stakeholder development process informed by AGREE principles and GRADE where feasible. The process included scope definition, targeted evidence identification, appraisal and synthesis, iterative drafting, internal review, consensus development, and planned external consultation. Evidence was drawn from existing systematic reviews, meta-analyses, major guidelines, landmark primary studies, and targeted searches in areas where T2D-specific evidence was limited. This paper describes the methodological framework underpinning the development of practical recommendations for healthcare professionals caring for people with T2D who smoke and wish to quit. The DiaSmokeFree initiative provides a transparent and reproducible pathway for developing internationally relevant, implementable recommendations that position smoking cessation as a core component of comprehensive T2D care. Description: A supplementary file is attached within this record.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Albanesi, Beatrice Casciaro, Riccardo Casabona, Elena Conti, Alessio Alite-Cerezuela, Paula Cooke, Samuel Kane, Ros Karavani, Nikoletta Velonaki, Venetia-Sofia Vizcaya, Flores Zabalegui, Adelaida Sammut, Roberta Clari, Marco https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148137 2026-07-21T08:06:49Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Nurses’ engagement in healthcare policy-making : a pragmatic utility–based scoping review Authors: Albanesi, Beatrice; Casciaro, Riccardo; Casabona, Elena; Conti, Alessio; Alite-Cerezuela, Paula; Cooke, Samuel; Kane, Ros; Karavani, Nikoletta; Velonaki, Venetia-Sofia; Vizcaya, Flores; Zabalegui, Adelaida; Sammut, Roberta; Clari, Marco Abstract: Aim: This review aimed to map the available evidence on nurses’ engagement in healthcare policy-making and to identify the foundational concepts that shape this engagement.; Background: Nurses represent the largest professional group in healthcare systems and hold a central position in responding to population health needs. However, they remain underrepresented in policy-making arenas. Their engagement is increasingly recognised as essential for building equitable, responsive and patient-centred healthcare systems, yet it is limited by insufficient policy education, restricted access to decision-making spaces, and the absence of a guiding conceptual framework.; Methods: This scoping review was conducted using established methodological guidance for evidence mapping. A Pragmatic utility approach informed the conceptual analysis, allowing the available literature to be examined in relation to the usefulness, clarity, and applicability of concepts describing nurses’ policy engagement.; Sources of Evidence: A systematic search of peer-reviewed databases was complemented by manual searches of reference lists. Eligible sources examined nurses’ engagement, participation or influence in healthcare policy-making across clinical, organisational, professional, or governmental contexts.; Discussion and Conclusion: Nurses’ engagement in policy-making was described through interrelated antecedents, attributes, and outcomes. Individual factors and professionalism were important antecedents, but engagement was strongly shaped by contextual conditions, including organisational support, opportunities for collaboration, and access to policy spaces. The findings suggest that policy participation is relational and depends on the ability to translate nursing expertise into policy-relevant messages. Engagement was associated with enhanced advocacy, exposure to positive role models, and education and information seeking, which may reinforce further participation.; Implications for Nursing Practice: Nursing organisations, educators, and leaders should strengthen policy and advocacy education, mentorship, leadership development, and opportunities for nurses to participate in policy-related activities.; Implications for Health Policy: Health systems should create organisational mechanisms that provide protected time, formal recognition, and access to policy forums, enabling nurses to contribute more effectively to policy decisions.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z