https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/690 2026-08-24T17:08:39Z 2026-08-24T17:08:39Z Netere, Adeladlew K. Hughes, Tony Babey, Anna-Marie Guilding, Clare Restini, Carolina Hawes, Martin Kelly, John P. Djouma, Elvan Koenig, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jacqueline E. Olafuyi, Olusola Fernandes, Lynette B. Mifsud, Janet Sills, Graeme J. van Houwelingen, Anneke H. Tucker, Steven J. Liang, Willmann Aronsson, Patrik Khan, Farhan Ahmad Hinton, Tina Hernandez, Mark Cormier, Lindsay Kelly-Laubscher, Roisin Caetano Crowley, Fabiana A. Junqueira Santiago, Marina Cunningham, Margaret Richardson, Jennelle Durnett Karpa, Kelly White, Paul J. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148456 2026-08-11T05:59:29Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Development and validation of pharmacology concept inventory for concept-based learning : leveraging theory, expert insights, and student perspectives Authors: Netere, Adeladlew K.; Hughes, Tony; Babey, Anna-Marie; Guilding, Clare; Restini, Carolina; Hawes, Martin; Kelly, John P.; Djouma, Elvan; Koenig, Jennifer; McLaughlin, Jacqueline E.; Olafuyi, Olusola; Fernandes, Lynette B.; Mifsud, Janet; Sills, Graeme J.; van Houwelingen, Anneke H.; Tucker, Steven J.; Liang, Willmann; Aronsson, Patrik; Khan, Farhan Ahmad; Hinton, Tina; Hernandez, Mark; Cormier, Lindsay; Kelly-Laubscher, Roisin; Caetano Crowley, Fabiana A.; Junqueira Santiago, Marina; Cunningham, Margaret; Richardson, Jennelle Durnett; Karpa, Kelly; White, Paul J. Abstract: Misconceptions in pharmacology can undermine learning and compromise both clinical and scientific reasoning, yet few validated tools exist to identify them. Consequently, we developed and validated the Pharmacology Concept Inventory (PCI), which can be used to identify misconceptions, assess learning gains, and evaluate teaching effectiveness. This PCI was designed based on the IUPHAR-Education Section (IUPHAR-Ed) Core Concepts of Pharmacology Project, addressing eight core concepts: drug efficacy, drug-target interaction, steady-state concentration, structure–activity relationship, drug tolerance, drug bioavailability, volume of distribution, and drug clearance. A triangulated design strategy integrated theoretical frameworks, expert review, and student perspectives. Experts examined quality, content validity, and cognitive alignment. The pilot PCI was then administered to a student cohort to evaluate its psychometric properties, providing preliminary evidence for further refinement. Item-level content validity indices ranged from 0.67 to 1.00, with a scale-level average of 0.93. Seventy students completed the pilot survey, leading to the exclusion of items with low discrimination and reliability. Items on drug-target interaction were removed due to consistently poor performance. The final PCI included 26 items covering seven concepts, with strong discrimination indices (0.36–0.75) and difficulty indices (0.26–0.71). Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha = 0.91), and concept-level reliability ranged from 0.64 to 0.85. The PCI provides strong evidence for identifying misconceptions and assessing learning outcomes through a pre–post-test approach. Although the PCI currently addresses only a subset of concepts, continued refinements informed by surveys and interviews will enhance its utility and expand its scope for concept-based learning and curriculum evaluation.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Baker, Gus A. Brodie, Martin Davies, Erin Jedrzejczak, Joanna Lally, Lorraine Mifsud, Janet Mostacci, Barbara Okujava, Natela Sofia, Francesca Winterbottom, Janine Wollscheid, Leonie https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148452 2026-08-10T08:10:08Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Survey assessing the reproductive healthcare and information needs of women in Europe of childbearing age living with epilepsy Authors: Baker, Gus A.; Brodie, Martin; Davies, Erin; Jedrzejczak, Joanna; Lally, Lorraine; Mifsud, Janet; Mostacci, Barbara; Okujava, Natela; Sofia, Francesca; Winterbottom, Janine; Wollscheid, Leonie Abstract: Objectives: To understand the extent to which women of childbearing age (WoCBA) are aware of the issues associated with epilepsy and pregnancy and identify unmet reproductive healthcare and information needs.; Methods: WoCBA with epilepsy completed a 34-question online survey (January to March 2021), including sections on demographics, clinical information, and access to reproductive health care. The survey was available in English, Croatian, Czech, Georgian, German, Italian, Polish, Russian and Spanish.; Results: Overall, 865 responses were received and included in the analysis. Most respondents were aged 20–39 years (77.0 %), were married (43.6 %) and 63.2 % had been diagnosed with epilepsy for more than 10 years. Over half of respondents (53.9 %) had previously been pregnant, with 75.5 % reporting that they took antiseizure medication (ASMs) during pregnancy. Most (67.6 %) respondents had received information about epilepsy and pregnancy with 43.4 % of respondents receiving this information before their first pregnancy. Although 71.5 % found the information ‘very helpful’ or ‘somewhat helpful’, some respondents found the information frightening, confusing, or difficult to access. Most respondents (74.1 %) had been made aware of the risks of taking some ASMs while pregnant; 59.8 % had been advised to consider pregnancy planning, however, 52.7 % were not provided with information on contraception while taking ASMs. Over half (56.9 %) of respondents felt that clear and concise information was not available for women with epilepsy who were considering becoming pregnant.; Conclusions: There is a need to improve education and support for WoCBA with epilepsy to help them with decision-making, planning and managing pregnancy.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Pereira, Melina Chircop, Robert Mifsud, Janet https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148451 2026-08-10T08:03:40Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Adult poisoning-related admissions to the intensive care unit at the Mater Dei Hospital, Malta (2015–2021) Authors: Pereira, Melina; Chircop, Robert; Mifsud, Janet Abstract: Introduction: Studies worldwide have demonstrated an increasing number of intensive care unit admissions due to intentional and unintentional poisoning. However, data on the characteristics and demographics of such patients in Malta remain limited.; Methods: A retrospective study of fully anonymized patient records was conducted following ethics and data protection approval. Adult patients (over 18 years old) admitted to the intensive care unit at the Mater Dei Hospital, Malta, as a result of acute poisoning between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2021 were included. Data collected included the type of drug toxicity or poisoning, reason for admission, management, length of stay and patient outcome.; Results: Among 3,394 adult intensive care unit admissions during the study period, 252 (7.4%) were related to poisoning. Patient ages ranged from 18 years to 87 years, with a median age of 39.5 years. There were 94 females (37.3%) and 158 males (62.7%). The seven most frequently involved causes of poisonings were recreational drugs (19.9%, most commonly cocaine), sedatives (13.9%, benzodiazepines), antidepressants (11.3%, mainly tricyclic antidepressants), antipsychotics (11.3%, mainly atypical antipsychotics), ethanol taken alone (10.7%), analgesics (6.9%, mainly paracetamol) and antihypertensives (4.6%, mainly diuretics). The patient survival rate was 97.6%.; Discussion: These findings, consistent with other international studies, offer valuable insights into the demographics, types, and outcomes of poisoning-related admissions in Malta. The data may assist clinicians, toxicologists, and public health officials to identify risks, improve patient management and guide prevention strategies.; Conclusions: There were 252 adult poisoning-related admissions to the intensive care unit, Mater Dei Hospital, Malta, between 2015 and 2021, and males accounted for 62.7% of these cases. Overall, intentional poisonings accounted for 50.4% of admissions. The seven most frequently occurring poisonings were due to recreational drugs (19.9%), sedatives (13.9%), antidepressants (11.3%), antipsychotics (11.3%), ethanol taken alone (10.7%), analgesics (6.9%), and antihypertensives (4.6%). The survival rate was 97.6%.

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Aquilina, Graziella Casha, Sarah Valerie Cordina, Maria Debono, Ivan Fenech, Anthony Mifsud, Janet Petroni-Magri, Vanessa Vassallo, Cesca Sultana, Janet https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148450 2026-08-10T07:47:22Z 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: GLP-1 receptor agonist safety in a perioperative setting : more questions than answers Authors: Aquilina, Graziella; Casha, Sarah Valerie; Cordina, Maria; Debono, Ivan; Fenech, Anthony; Mifsud, Janet; Petroni-Magri, Vanessa; Vassallo, Cesca; Sultana, Janet Abstract: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are among the latest class of drugs to be approved for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Their use has rapidly increased as their indications were expanded to include obesity management (Table 1). In 2005, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved exenatide, and since then, GLP-1 RA use has expanded to include agents such as liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), and the dual GLP-1/GIP agonist tirzepatide (Mounjaro). In 2021, semaglutide became the first GLP-1 RA approved for chronic weight management, with similar authorizations following in the European Union. Their increasing use has prompted questions on their safety in certain scenarios such as the perioperative setting. The same pharmacological properties that confer therapeutic benefits may inadvertently create challenges in this setting. [excerpt]

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