https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/318 2026-07-31T22:05:04Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148137 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 https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147120 Title: The process of informed consent and decision-making in invasive aesthetic procedures Abstract: Background: Informed consent is a key component of ethical, patient-centred healthcare delivery, ensuring individuals are thoroughly informed about the risks, benefits and alternatives of procedures. Given the increasing number of aesthetic procedures being carried out and the limited research on individuals’ understanding of the risks, benefits and alternatives of informed consent in aesthetic procedures, this research study sought to explore the process of informed consent and the decision-making process of individuals undergoing invasive aesthetic procedures. To address this aim, this research study was guided by three objectives; To explore and examine the informed consent process in invasive aesthetic procedures, to explore the decision-making process in invasive aesthetic procedures and to examine how demographic factors influence patients’ understanding of informed consent in aesthetic procedures. Methodology: A parallel convergent mixed-methods design was adopted. Data was collected using a self-developed structured questionnaire, which underwent face and content validation (n=270) and semi-structured interviews (n=8), from individuals who underwent invasive aesthetic procedures. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was analysed thematically. Data was converged to identify congruencies and discrepancies. Findings: Participants perceived themselves as being less informed about risks and potential complications compared to the benefits of the procedure. However, individuals were overall satisfied with the consent process, suggesting that insufficient risk information did not influence their final decision to undergo the procedure. Furthermore, participants mentioned dissatisfaction with their self-image and low self-esteem as the main factors influencing their decision to undergo an aesthetic procedure, often outweighing concerns about potential risks or complications. Conclusion: The findings suggest that informed consent in invasive aesthetic procedures serves as a useful but not decisive component of decision-making, as choices were also strongly influenced by personal motivations. This highlights the need to improve ethical, patient-centred consent practices that better address risk understanding and underlying patient motivations. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146883 Title: Global adoption and readiness for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health technologies in infection prevention and control (IPC) : a WHO global survey Authors: Silvana, Gastaldi; Giovanni, Satta; Tartari, Ermira; Mookerjee, Siddharth; Benedetta, Allegranzi Abstract: Background Artificial intelligence and digital health technologies may strengthen Infection Prevention and Control through enhanced surveillance, decision-making, and workforce training. However, global evidence on their uptake and perceived usefulness among IPC professionals remains limited. Methods This cross-sectional online survey coordinated by the World Health Organization between 21 March and 17 April 2025 assessed awareness, adoption, perceived usefulness, barriers, and facilitators related to AI-enabled and digital technologies in IPC. Descriptive analyses used item-specific denominators. Technology use analyses were restricted to current users, while perception-based analyses included all respondents answering each item. Likert-scale usefulness items were analysed as ordinal variables using medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs). Results Of 444 responses received across the six WHO regions, 441 were valid for analysis. Most respondents reported some familiarity with AI and digital technologies, although only 24.5% reported current use and 6.8% reported formal training. Among current users, the most frequently reported technologies were AI-based analysis for IPC research, semi-automatic surveillance systems, AI-supported teaching tools, and AI-based antimicrobial resistance detection tools. Perceived usefulness was generally favourable, with a median score of 4 (IQR 2) for eight of nine assessed applications; environmental disinfection scored lower (median 3, IQR 3). The main reported barriers were lack of training and skills (74.4%), limited funding (71.4%), and integration challenges with existing systems (43.3%). Conclusions This global IPC survey identified a substantial gap between awareness and routine implementation of AI-enabled and digital technologies. Adoption remains limited despite favourable perceptions, highlighting workforce capacity, funding, and system integration as the principal implementation constraints. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146593 Title: Exploring nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of medication errors in a general hospital in Malta – a cross-sectional survey Authors: Schiavone, Natalya; Scicluna Ward, Corinne Abstract: Background: Medication errors (MEs) continue to pose a significant risk to patient safety despite established safety measures. Nurses are central to administering medications, and their knowledge, experience, and work environment influence both the likelihood of errors and whether they are reported. This study explored nurses’ perspectives on MEs, reporting practices, and barriers to reporting in a general hospital in Malta. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Of the 429 nurses invited, 301 completed the survey (response rate 70.2%). The questionnaire addressed the prevalence of MEs, reporting behaviours, knowledge of medications, perceived contributing factors, and attitudes towards reporting. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. Results: Most nurses (88%, n = 265/301) reported having made at least one medication error. Reporting was inconsistent: 54% (n = 163/301) had never reported an error, 35% (n = 105/301) reported some, and only 11.6% (n = 35/301) reported all incidents. The area of work was significantly linked to perceived barriers and reporting behaviour. Nurses in reliever pools (92.6%), medical wards (89.9%), and surgical wards (79.7%) were more likely to feel concerns or barriers about reporting. Reporting practices also varied by area, with lower reporting in paediatric (36.8%) and orthopaedic wards (44.0%) and higher reporting in reliever pools (67.9%). While most nurses valued reporting (89%, n = 268/301), only 34% (n = 102/301) would report errors causing no harm, and 78% (n = 235/301) were reluctant to report colleagues. Conclusions: The findings reveal that MEs are common and underreported. Knowledge gaps, communication challenges, and systemic issues such as staffing shortages create barriers to safe medication management. Fear of repercussions further discourages reporting, highlighting the need for supportive, transparent practices. Hospitals should foster a non-punitive reporting culture, strengthen training, and improve interprofessional communication. Addressing these challenges can reduce medication errors and enhance patient safety and care quality. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z