https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/317 2026-09-19T01:21:47Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149231 Title: Evaluating patient-centered care in external beam radiotherapy : a cross-sectional study in Malta Authors: Hayden, Grech; van Dijk, Gerrit Albertus Abstract: Purpose/Objective; Patient-centered care (PCC) is key to high-quality oncology services, emphasising care that respects patients’ needs, values, and preferences while ensuring effective communication, coordinated care, and emotional support. Radiotherapy departments provide an important setting for PCC implementation due to frequent patient– healthcare provider interactions throughout treatment. However, limited research has explored PCC from patients’ perspectives on receiving external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in Malta. This study aimed to evaluate patients’ views on PCC from cancer diagnosis until the final week of EBRT treatment and to examine whether socio-demographic factors influenced perceived PCC.; Material/Methods; A prospective cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted at a Maltese oncology centre. Adult patients receiving EBRT were recruited during their final week of treatment using convenience sampling. Participants completed the validated Quality of Patient-Centered Cancer Care (QPCCC) questionnaire, developed and implemented in various instances by Dr Tzelepis and her colleagues. This was completed alongside a demographic survey. The QPCCC assesses ten PCC dimensions, including respectful communication, treatment delivery, treatment decision-making, emotional support, coordinated and integrated care, timely care, follow-up care, cancer information, equitable care, and patient preferences and values. Data from 42 completed questionnaires were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29. Due to nonnormal data distribution, non-parametric tests including the Friedman test, Spearman correlation, and Kruskal–Wallis test were applied.; Results; Forty-two valid responses were analysed. Participants were predominantly aged 65–74 years, with equal representation of males and females. The highest mean ratings were reported for respectful communication (M = 4.738), treatment delivery (M = 4.378), and cancer information (M = 4.125). Lower ratings were observed for patient preferences and values (M = 3.063), timely care (M = 3.161), and coordinated and integrated care (M = 3.170). Differences between PCC dimensions were statistically significant (χ²(9) = 179.657, p < 0.001). Spearman analysis identified significant positive correlations between PCC domains, while timely care showed negative correlations with most domains, though not statistically significant. Significant differences (p-value < 0.05) were observed by sex, with females reporting higher scores for treatment decision-making (p-value = 0.039), respectful communication (p-value = 0.022), and patient preferences and values (p-value = 0.048).; Conclusion; Patients receiving EBRT in Malta generally reported positive PCC experiences, particularly in communication and treatment delivery. However, improvements are needed in addressing patient preferences, values, and shared decision-making to strengthen PCC in radiotherapy care. These findings highlight opportunities to enhance patient engagement and support development of more personalised and equitable oncology services within radiotherapy practice. 2026-08-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149229 Title: Lifestyle patterns of cancer patients during radiotherapy : a cross-sectional study from Malta Authors: Axisa, Jake; van Dijk, Gerrit Albertus Abstract: Purpose/Objective Lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity, hydration, sleep quality, and other health-related practices can influence treatment tolerance, recovery, and overall quality of life among cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy [1,2]. Maintaining healthy habits during treatment may help patients manage treatment-related side effects and support overall well-being [3]. Despite growing recognition of the role of lifestyle factors in cancer care, limited research has examined the lifestyle behaviours of patients actively receiving radiotherapy, particularly within smaller healthcare systems such as Malta. Assessing these behaviours is important to identify modifiable factors that may influence patient well-being and to guide supportive care strategies during treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the lifestyle behaviours of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at the national oncology centre in Malta and identify areas where lifestyle interventions may enhance patient well-being. Material/Methods A prospective cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among patients receiving external beam radiotherapy at the national oncology hospital in Malta. Lifestyle behaviours were assessed using an adapted 25-item questionnaire covering domains such as physical activity, hydration, sleep patterns, and general health behaviours, scored on a four-point Likert scale [4]. Face validity was assessed by three healthcare professionals (oncologist, general practitioner, nutritionist), yielding a content validity index of 0.86. Reliability testing showed moderate to strong correlations between corresponding items (Spearman’s rho r = 0.39– 1.00; p ≤ 0.05) and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.77). Demographic and treatment site data were also collected. Results Thirty participants were included in the study. Participants demonstrated a relatively positive lifestyle profile with a mean lifestyle score of 72/100. Females (n=14) showed slightly higher average lifestyle scores compared with males (n=15). Participants aged over 65 years (n=16) reported marginally higher lifestyle scores than those younger than 65 years (n=14). Patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancers (n=3) recorded the lowest lifestyle score (69.33). Several modifiable behaviours were identified: 43.33% of participants (n=13) reported sleeping only 5–7 hours per night, 73.33% (n=22) did not perform weekly stretching exercises, and 65.52% (n=19) reported drinking less than the recommended two litres of water per day. Conclusion Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy in Malta demonstrated a moderately positive lifestyle profile, although several modifiable behaviours remain suboptimal, particularly regarding hydration, physical activity, and sleep patterns. These findings highlight the importance of assessing lifestyle behaviours during radiotherapy and suggest that integrating lifestyle education and supportive interventions into routine radiotherapy care may promote healthier habits and improve patient well-being. 2026-08-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149101 Title: Quantitative analysis and characterization of the fungal and bacterial ecosystem of soft cheese Abstract: This work and its abstract are both under embargo until the restriction is lifted. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/149100 Title: Design, development and optimisation of pulsed electric fields (PEF) processes for microbial inactivation in liquid food products : microbial cellular and molecular mechanisms during PEF mediated treatments Abstract: This work and its abstract are both under embargo until the restriction is lifted. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z