https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/33307 2026-04-15T15:29:15Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/19027 Title: Journal of the Malta College of Family Doctors : volume 5 : issue 2 Authors: Mallia, Pierre Abstract: MALLIA, P. - The passing of two colleagues and pioneers -- CACHIA, J. M. - A public health perspective for primary health care -- CASHA, F. C., FARRUGIA PRECA, J., & PISANI, R. - Higher number of hospital admissions for bronchiolitis with lower mean ambient temperature -- ABELA, J., & MALLIA, P. - Training in palliative medicine and Maltese doctors: a cross-sectional survey -- MALLIA, P. - MCFD annual general meeting 2016 : president’s report -- BONNICI, J. J. - MCFD AGM 2016 : secretary’s report April 2015 – May 2016 -- SAMMUT, M. R. - Dr Denis Soler MD MSc FRCGP FMCFD 1948 - 2016. 2016-08-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/19026 Title: A public health perspective for primary health care Authors: Cachia, John M. Abstract: The content and service goals of primary health care must reflect national public health priorities, if primary health care is to retain its traditional role as a relevant contributor to the national health system, as a reliable caregiver promptly responding to the evolving health needs of the Maltese population and as a trustworthy partner providing sustainable and cost-effective services. 2016-08-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/19025 Title: Training in palliative medicine and Maltese doctors : a cross-sectional survey Authors: Abela, Jurgen; Mallia, Pierre Abstract: Introduction Doctors struggle with end of life decisions. Few if any studies documented the level of training and need for further training in palliative care of local doctors. Method A national cross-sectional survey of all Maltase doctors registered with the Medical Council of Malta and having a local address. Results The response rate was 39.7%, totaling 396 responses. Thirty-one point one per cent of respondents did not have training in palliative care. Sixty-two point six per cent of respondents agreed that their training in palliative care should be extended. Female doctors and younger doctors were significantly more likely to agree to extend their training in palliative care. Past training in palliative care was significantly related to views on euthanasia. Conclusions The majority of Maltese doctors (68.9%) had some form of training in palliative care. Interestingly however, 62.6% of Maltese doctors agree to extend their training in palliative care. Not surprisingly, younger doctors were more eager to extend their training in this area, possibly due to lack of exposure and experience in palliative care. The (significant) relation between training in palliative care and views on euthanasia is an area for possible further study in the future. 2016-08-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/19024 Title: Higher number of hospital admissions for bronchiolitis with lower mean ambient temperature Authors: Casha, Frank C.; Farrugia Preca, Justine; Pisani, Rebecca Abstract: Background During our work as general practitioners (GPs) in Malta and during attachments in the Paediatric Department of the main hospital in Malta, we encountered children with bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis has been described as a seasonal viral illness characterised by breathing difficulties, cough, poor feeding, irritability and lethargy and, in the very young, apnoea (SIGN, 2006). We speculated that there were more bronchiolitis-related admissions to hospital during colder temperatures, but could not find any literature on the local patterns of this illness. International literature described a specific seasonality of bronchiolitis in the northern hemisphere, with more admissions being recorded in the winter months (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2010; Chen et al., 2014; Coffin, 2005; Grimprel, 2001; Grimwood et al., 2008; Hervás et al., 2012), specifically with colder temperatures (Chen et al., 2014). In a concurrent study, we established seasonality and recorded other epidemiological features of the condition (Casha et al., 2015). Objectives The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the temperature range in which most hospitalizations for bronchiolitis occur, and to determine if there is a significant difference between the number of admissions and the set mean ambient temperature categories (arbitrarily set as below 10°C, between 10.1 and 15°C, between 15.1 and 20°C, between 20.1 and 25°C and between 25.1 and 30°C). The null hypothesis is that there is no significant difference in number of hospital admissions between each mean ambient temperature group and the alternative hypothesis is that there is a difference. This was done with a view to providing a better understanding of the condition to guide both clinical and policy decisions. Method The four-year period January 2008 to December 2011 was chosen. Statistical data was obtained from the Department of Health Information and Research to define the dates of admission for all recorded episodes of hospital admission for bronchiolitis among infants or children under two years at Mater Dei Hospital, the main Maltese hospital, for this period. Temperature records for the same period were obtained from the Maltese Meteorological Office. Appropriate statistical tools were used to assess the relation between admission rate and temperature. The diagnosis leading to the classification of the admission as one for bronchiolitis was validated by examining a significant sample of doctors’ notes in the relevant patient files and matching these against clinical criteria for diagnosis (SIGN, 2006). Results Our findings show that the majority of admissions occur between 10.91°C and 18.61°C. The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis equality-of-populations rank test proved that there is a statistically different admission frequency between different mean ambient temperature categories. Conclusions In Malta, a higher number of hospital admissions for bronchiolitis among infants or children under two years occurs when mean ambient temperature is lower. This is in keeping with international literature. 2016-08-01T00:00:00Z