https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/130304 2026-04-15T08:38:08Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/130364 Title: Journal of the Malta College of Family Doctors : volume 13 : issue 1 Authors: Sammut, Mario R. Abstract: Table of contents:; 1/ SAMMUT, M. R. - Facilitating health promotion and disease prevention in Maltese family practice; 2/ ATTARD, J., CARDONA, T., MICALLEF, T., FARRUGIA, J., CACHIA, J., & GAUCI, C. - A follow up study on the knowledge, attitudes, skills and habits of Maltese family doctors in disease prevention and health promotion; 3/ MONTEBELLO, G., MICALLEF ISHMAEL, E., & MARKU, X. - A one-month demographic analysis of ophthalmic referrals to the Emergency Ophthalmic Service at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta; 4/ MONTEBELLO, G., MARKHAM, K., DEBONO, M., & BARBARA, P. - A study evaluating the deprescribing guideline on anticholinergic drugs in a long-term care facility in Malta; 5/ PULLICINO, G., ELLUL, R., ZAMMIT, D., GARZIA, G., & ABELA, S. - COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy amongst COVID-19-positive patients in a Maltese suburban population; 6/ FARRUGIA, P., MIFSUD, I., & ZAMMIT, K. - Pneumococcal vaccination in community homes for the elderly: a Maltese perspective 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/130363 Title: Facilitating health promotion and disease prevention in Maltese family practice Abstract: The European Definition of General Practice / Family Medicine does not just define the characteristics of the speciality, but also describes the core competences of family medicine (WONCA Europe, 2023). One characteristic is the promotion of health and wellbeing of patients, which, as specified by one of the core competences, is achieved by applying health promotion and disease prevention strategies appropriately (WONCA Europe, 2023). The December 2024 issue of the JMCFD – Journal of the Malta College of Family Doctors – includes no less than four (out of five) articles regarding this important role of family doctors in Malta. The first by Attard et al. (2024) compares the knowledge, attitudes, skills and habits regarding health promotion and disease prevention of Maltese family doctors / general practitioners (GPs) to results from two previous studies (Sammut, 2006; Pace, Sammut and Gauci, 2014). Although less difficulty in carrying out disease prevention and health promotion activities was reported by family doctors, the main problem remained a lack of time due to a heavy workload (Sammut, 2006; Pace, Sammut and Gauci, 2014; Attard et al., 2024). [excerpt] 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/130362 Title: A follow up study on the knowledge, attitudes, skills and habits of Maltese family doctors in disease prevention and health promotion Authors: Attard, Jason; Cardona, Tania; Micallef, Terence; Farrugia, Joanne; Cachia, John; Gauci, Charmaine Abstract: BACKGROUND: Family doctors occupy a unique position to advocate for health promotion and disease prevention.; OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, skills and habits of family doctors in Malta regarding health promotion and disease prevention and compare the results to similar studies carried out in 2000 and 2011.; METHOD: A validated questionnaire was distributed to all family doctors and general practitioner (GP) trainees in Malta. Structured interviews were conducted to further explore the results and formulate recommendations. Ethical permission was obtained for the study.; RESULTS: The response rate stood at 9.8% (49/501). Respondents showed disparities between belief and action for clinical examinations, investigations or advice for two clinical scenarios echoing findings from earlier studies. Around 28.5% of respondents faced challenges in delivering health promotion and disease prevention interventions, with the main barrier quoted being a heavy workload and a lack of time (85.6%). Most respondents considered themselves minimally effective at promoting tobacco reduction (53.1%), minimally effective (49.0%) or ineffective (2%) at promoting alcohol reduction (51.0%), either reasonably (57.1%) or very effective (2%) at promoting weight loss (59.1%), and reasonably effective at promoting regular exercise (61.2%). Variances between respondents in private practice and those in public centres regarding the perceived effectiveness of these interventions were noted. Recommendations include restructuring the primary care service to introduce specialised clinics for health promotion activities, further training, capitalising on digital solutions and dissemination of information.; CONCLUSIONS: The study highlighted the key barriers encountered in implementing disease prevention and health promotion interventions. Several actions that can enhance the practices of family doctors were proposed by respondents. 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/130361 Title: A one-month demographic analysis of ophthalmic referrals to the emergency ophthalmic service at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta Authors: Montebello, Gloria; Micallef Ishmael, Elinor; Marku, Xeniya Abstract: BACKGROUND: Prompt recognition and referral of patients with ophthalmic emergencies are essential for preserving vision. For this reason, importance should be given to researching how the ophthalmic emergency services are utilized in Malta in order to facilitate improvements.; OBJECTIVE: This demographic study, conducted over 32 days at Mater Dei Hospital in Malta, aimed to explore the characteristics of patients referred to the ophthalmic emergency department, including patient demographics, referral sources and reasons for referral, providing insights into the utilization of emergency services.; METHOD: This retrospective demographic study was carried out over the span of one month (from December 2023 to January 2024). Patient referral data was gathered from emergency department triage sheets, followed by the collection of demographic data (including gender, age, place of habitation, ethnicity, source of referral, presenting complaint and necessity for further ophthalmic review) from the Clinical Patient Administration System for all Ophthalmic Emergency Services attendees.; RESULTS: Findings revealed gender disparities, age-related trends, regional distribution and the significance of self-referrals. Notably, 18% of cases required further ophthalmic review, emphasizing the complexity of ocular conditions.; CONCLUSION: This study offered valuable insights into the different characteristics of patients accessing the Maltese Ophthalmic Emergency Service at Mater Dei Hospital. It underscored the significant number of patients utilizing this service and revealed demographic trends and referral sources. By acknowledging these trends, it should become possible to allocate resources more effectively and target interventions to meet the diverse needs of the community. While acknowledging its limitations, the aims and objectives of this study were achieved. 2024-12-01T00:00:00Z