https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39373 2026-04-15T22:51:17Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111299 Title: Octreoscan in the detection of neuroendocrine tumours : a study evaluating the value of octreoscan imaging at a general state hospital in Malta Abstract: Neuroendocrine tumours (NET's) are rare tumours that arise in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. They could be situated in the bronchopulmonary system, as well as in the GI tract, such as the small intestine. Certain types of NET's are also found in organs such as the pancreas. Examples of these tumours are Insulinoma, which secretes high levels of insulin, and Gastrinoma, which secretes high levels of gastrin. Other types of NET's are carcinoid tumours. These tumours are a rare form of NET, and are mostly found in the GI tract. The objective of this study was to determine whether the report obtained from the Octreoscan made an impact on the patient's management in Malta. All patients undergoing an Octreoscan at the Malta General State Hospital were included in this study. Reports of the Octreoscan performed, and those of other related imaging examinations were retrieved from the computer system of the Medical Imaging Department. Any change in treatment was then sought from the patient's medical records. All the necessary data was documented with the help of a checklist. 57% of the patients included in this study had a change in their treatment that was effected from the Octreoscan results. Any impact on management in the remaining 43% was not due to results obtained from the Octreoscan, but from those of other imaging examinations or other tests. These results do not coincide with results obtained in foreign literature, mainly due to the small number of participants in this study. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66210 Title: Breast awareness among female nurses in the public hospital setting Abstract: The aim of the study is to explore whether (and to what extent) female nurses working in an acute public hospital setting are breast aware. The methodology used consisted in collecting quantitative data through a survey approach from a convenience sample of 50 qualified female nurses working in medical and surgical wards of the public general hospital. The data collection instrument consisted of a self-administered questionnaire. A 96% response rate (n=48) was obtained. Data were analysed quantitatively by means of frequencies, cross-tabulation and descriptive statistics. Tables and figures were then used to illustrate these findings. Participation was on a voluntary basis and any participant was free to withdraw from the study at any time. Confidentiality and anonymity was adhered to at all times. Results showed that participants possess a fairly good knowledge of breast awareness, breast self-examination and breast cancer risk factors. However, the healthcare workers' reported practices were not always up to the desired level. This might be a result of misconceptions between breast awareness and breast self-examination. Furthermore, results showed that female nurses lacked sufficient knowledge of signs of breast cancer. Following the result of the study, a number of recommendations for research, practice and education were identified. It was concluded that a theory-practice gap does exists among the participants. This in turn highlights the need for further educational programmes to educate and promote breast awareness among healthcare workers. Furthermore, in order to overcome some shortcomings of the adopted methodology, future research based on larger samples and on different healthcare professionals is encouraged as it will help to provide better statistical representativeness. The use of unstructured interviews would allow a deeper exploration of issues. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66207 Title: The attitudes of nurses working in a psychiatric setting towards complementary therapies in the treatment of anxiety Abstract: Anxiety is one of the main mental health problems facing a high proportion of the western population. At some point or another nurses working in a mental health area, will encounter the problems associated with this condition. Traditional psychiatric treatments for anxiety have focused on the use of anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) medication but increasingly complementary therapies (CTs) are being used, Both by professional and sufferers alike, to combat the effects of the condition. However, very little is available to guide their use. The purpose of the study was to explore the attitudes of a sample of nurses working in a psychiatric setting about the use of CTs in the treatment of anxiety. A 34-item Likert-scale and a free text question was constituted for this non-experimental quantitative study. These were distributed to 40 nurses of the Maltese Association of Psychiatric Nurses (MAPN) by a third party, to maintain total anonymity, with a response of 75% (n=30). Data was analysed by aggregating the scores of the individual items and grouping them together as per their relationship with the study objectives - which were to explore nurses' attitudes towards CTs, to find out if they had used them personally and if they had used them with their patients. The main conclusion of the study showed that 70% of the sample felt that CTs should be used in the treatment of anxiety with half the sample using them themselves. Despite this however, the level of knowledge about types, usage and effects of CTs was limited. The study recommends that more robust research is needed to explore the effects of CTs when used for the treatment of anxiety, to explore attitudes and beliefs of other health care members in the mental health multidisciplinary team about the use of CTs. Study units for nursing students should be made available to guide the use of CTs within clinical practice. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66204 Title: Awareness of the use and misuse of antibiotic therapy amongst healthcare professionals working in a local private hospital Abstract: Studies from around the world have investigated the practice of the general public and the prescribing practices of general practitioners and have illustrated the extensive abuse of antibiotics in the community. Other studies have shown that education is the key to improve the situation by demonstrating the positive effects left behind by national or community based campaigns. Yet, none have investigated the effect which healthcare professionals (HCPs) may potentially have on the world-wide attempt to improve antibiotic use. Nonetheless, their level of cognition and awareness on the topic needs to be first evaluated prior to utilising their continuous interaction with patients as a means to educate the people on the importance of correct antibiotic use. This study was therefore conducted to explore the awareness of the use and misuse of antibiotic therapy amongst healthcare professionals working in a local private hospital. An exploratory, quantitative approach was used for this study and was achieved by means of a questionnaire randomly distributed to different HCPs working in a local private hospital. The study investigated the personal practice of the HCPs with regards to antibiotics and explored the level of knowledge which HCPs have on the indications of the medication. From a response rate of 47.6% and following manual and content analysis of the responses, the results showed that all HCPs, excluding doctors, have a general low level of knowledge on the indications of antibiotic therapy. Although the personal practices of the HCPs are satisfactory, it was noted that a certain degree of abuse exists amongst doctors and nurses. Several recommendations based on the findings of this study were drawn up and these included providing extensive lectures to be given to the HCPs working in this specific hospital, encouraging doctors to discuss antibiotic resistance with their patients prior to prescribing them antibiotics and issuing information leaflets to the public on the importance of correct antibiotic use. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z