https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/57324 2026-04-27T09:25:22Z 2026-04-27T09:25:22Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68280 2021-02-02T08:40:28Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Nurses' experiences of being present when a diagnosis of cancer is given to a patient on an acute setting Abstract: This study sought to explore nurses' experiences of being present when a diagnosis of cancer is given to a patient on an acute setting, through a qualitative approach. Data relating to the participants' views, feelings and experiences of being present during the delivery of a cancer diagnosis, was collected from a convenience sample of ten nurses, utilising both purposive sampling and snowball technique. The participants' comprised both enrolled and registered nurses, who at the time of the study, were working on a medical or surgical ward of an acute general hospital and who had worked on such wards for a minimum of five years. Data was collected from individual, semi-structured recorded interviews, aided by an interview guide. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed through a thematic data analysis. Three main themes have emerged which were further divided into sub-themes. A) being present was divided in various sub themes being: breaking bad news, truth-telling, advocating for what is right, providing privacy, who should be present, respecting patients' rights and practicing advocacy. B) providing support is further divided into three sub-themes, namely: having a good nurse-patient relationship, identifying patients' needs and dedicating more time, and the last theme being (C) nurses' emotions. The findings reveal that the majority of nurses perceive the lack of bad news being broken properly, create feelings of anger and frustration amongst them. The nurses' presence was strongly related to an optimal nurse-patient relationship. Moreover nurses expressed a strong feeling of incompetency due to lack of training in this delicate issue. As a result of the aforementioned issues, nurses consider such an experience as being a negative one. In the light of the findings one would recommend the inclusion of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses, aimed specifically on the nurses' role during the breaking of bad news, to improve nurses' supportive roles. These courses may also be aimed to equip nurses with strategies to help them face such an emotional experience. Further research is recommended in order to have a deeper understanding of this delicate subject. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68096 2021-01-29T12:37:17Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Nurses' confidence in taking part in cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Abstract: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the most important nursing skills as it has the power to save a human life. Nurses on the ward are usually the first to become aware that a patient has gone into cardiac arrest and therefore their immediate action in starting the chain of survival determines the outcome of the patient. The aim of this study was to explore the nurses' confidence when taking part in CPR and find out what factors could help increase the nurses' confidence and what factors could decrease their confidence when taking part in CPR. Another objective was to evaluate the nurses' perception regarding the CPR training. The sample consisted of 30 nurses working in Medical and Surgical wards at the acute general hospital in Malta. A response rate of 70% was achieved. The research tool utilized was a self administered questionnaire partly adapted from the survey used by (Evans, 2002). Findings revealed that most of the nurses who participated in the study feel confident in starting CPR prior to the arrival of the CPR team and one third of the respondents attributed this confidence due to their work experience. More than half of the respondents feel comfortable in assisting the CPR team. However, nine respondents report that they are not confident in assisting the CPR team and various reasons mostly related to the CPR team itself were given. Participants stated that the factor which can mostly increase their confidence in CPR is to continue education and training and the factor which mostly decreases their confidence during CPR is to work in a disorganized environment. Another important finding is that although most of the respondents are shown were the resuscitation trolley is once they start to work on the wards, only twelve respondents were shown how to use it and less than half received any instructions regarding resuscitation procedures in the ward. Most of the respondents have attended basic life support training and they rated the CPR training as being good, as it directly increased their confidence in CPR. However, there were respondents who wished to have more intensive training and practice. Based on this research study, the author put forward a number of recommendations such as the inclusion of leadership and communication skills in the Basic Life Support training in order to help the nurses manage a CPR attempt better. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68090 2021-01-29T12:25:10Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Current practices to prevent pressure sores in elderly patients in an orthopaedic ward : an observational study Abstract: This research study explored the current practices to prevent pressure sores in elderly patients situated in one of the orthopaedic wards of the local general hospital in Malta. Pressure sores, constitute a health problem of utmost importance, this is due to the number of people affected worldwide (Lyder, 2002). Prevention is the most efficient method to tackle the problem (EPUAP, 1998), and the quality of nursing care is considered as a key factor in dealing with pressure sores (EPUAP, 1998). A descriptive observational study was chosen to carry out this research project. An observation schedule was adopted to collect the data on the current practices to prevent pressure sores in elderly patients on an orthopaedic ward. In the present study, the local situation was addressed where nurses' behaviour was observed. Additionally, the ward environment was also assessed for factors that may enhance or inhibit optimum practice. Participants were chosen by convenience sampling which included 5 qualified nurses of different age groups, educational background and clinical experience together with 5 patients. A written informed consent was obtained from each of the participants before every observation. Each of the 5 nurses was observed during a morning shift which consists of 6 hours for 5 days. This time of the day was preferred since nursing care is more intense and hectic. Hence, a total of 30 hours of observational data was collected by a non- participant method. Observations were then thoroughly analyzed and data underwent quantitative content analysis. This research study has outlined many factors that need attention such as; the use of risk assessment tools, identification of risk factors, more frequent skin inspection of patients and the use of the right skin applications. Nutrition must also be taken into consideration and turning patients' position must be more frequent so as to avoid direct pressure on bony prominences. Last but not least education given to the patient is very important; but this was not done at all by the participants chosen. The results obtained induced the researcher to put forward some recommendations which include the use of risk assessment tools so as to be able to classify patients according to their needs and requirements. Another recommendation includes the use of clinical expertise which can provide more useful information regarding the management of pressure sores. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67989 2021-01-28T10:01:17Z 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Emergency nurses' views of the role of debriefing sessions in the A&E department Abstract: Debriefing serves to lessen symptoms associated with emotional suffering and to prevent long-term memory psychopathology. This is achieved through expressing emotions about trauma and discussing one's feelings and reactions with a skilled professional who provides ·support and attempts to normalise the reactions that emerge (McNally, Bryant, & Ehlers, 2003). Emergency nurses witness traumatic events on a daily basis, and are also at risk of being exposed to emotional suffering. According to the literature, debriefing as a mechanism of enabling professionals to cope with this suffering, is used in other countries. This study seeks to explore emergency nurses' views of debriefing in Malta. A self-designed questionnaire was self-administered to all nurses (n=76) working on a permanent basis at the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department in an acute care hospital and a response rate of 34% was achieved. A quantitative approach has been adopted to gain a breadth of ideas regarding emergency nurses' views about the role of debriefing sessions in A&E department. The quantitative data was analysed using simple descriptive statistics, whilst the qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The findings of this study show that debriefing does not appear to be carried out on a regular basis in Malta. Nurses' past experiences along with their perspectives on the future implementation of debriefing sessions, were obtained. Only half the respondents who participated in the study had previous experiences of debriefing sessions. This might have serious repercussions on emergency nurses' psychological health, especially being constantly exposed to trauma and suffering through their occupation. However due lo the very poor response rate, the findings must be viewed with caution. The emergency nurses recommend implementing debriefing on a more regular basis, together with more support from the management. It was further recommended that a similar but qualitative study be conducted to A&E administration staff to explore their understanding of debriefing. It was also suggested that staff in A&E department be more knowledgeable about debriefing and its importance to be carried out and ensure that debriefing is carried out regularly. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING

2008-01-01T00:00:00Z