https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51390 2026-04-15T05:24:56Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/53224 Title: The role of plain film radiography in primary care patients with low back pain Abstract: The researcher, having worked as a radiographer in the primary health setting for over 15 years, observed that plain film lumbar spine radiography is a very frequently requested examination for patients with low back pain attending at primary health care centers. Although the medical imaging sector is equipped with advanced imaging modalities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computerized Tomography, that are more sensitive in imaging pathologies of the spine, plain film lumbar spine radiography still constitutes about 12% of all requests for x-ray examinations in the local Primary Health Department. This together with literature reviewed about studies addressing similar issues by foreign researchers prompted the researcher to perform a study regarding the local situation. This study was designed to; 1. Get an insight of the general perception of GPs practicing in primary health about the role of Plain Film Radiography in the determination of the cause of low back pain and its effect on patient management. 2. Determine whether, in fact, Plain Film Radiography contributes to the determination of the cause of low back pain and patient management by studying the outcome from a sample of 30 patients attending for plain film lumbar spine radiography due to low back pain. 3. Compare and determine whether there 1s a correlation between the above outcomes. The study was done at the Paola Health Centre, catering for the primary care needs of patients from the south of Malta. From the results, it was concluded that although in some cases, plain film lumbar spine radiography may contribute to the determination of the cause of low back pain, it was less effective as regards to patient management. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY 2003-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/52578 Title: Perceptions of job satisfaction among Maltese radiographers at St. Luke's Hospital. Abstract: Job satisfaction is a topic of wide interest since it is associated with many important behaviours and outcomes for employees that have implications for organisational and personal well-being. It is susceptible to change over a time span since it depends on a lot of variables: observations that motivated the researcher to actually assess job satisfaction amongst Maltese diagnostic radiographers in view of the various reforms and current changes in the health service. To this end, a cross-sectional study involving the radiographers working at St Luke's Hospital was carried out. The research tool consisted of a pre-existing scale (the job descriptive index and the job in general), which was extensively used in other similar studies. The study demonstrated that the most important perception of job satisfaction amongst these health workers was the high quality patient care delivered particularly through the production of high-quality diagnostic images. In fact, positive findings of this research indicate that radiographers are generally satisfied with their job. However, hygiene factors such as supervision, salary, work­environment and inter-personal relationships with colleagues mar this good state of affairs. Moreover, lack of respect to the profession, lack of managerial support and infrequent promotions were the motivator factors high-lighted in this study. Finally, no significant linear relation emerged between job satisfaction and demographic data relating to radiographers' age, gender and education. On the basis of this study, the researcher put forward a set of recommendations to the Society of Maltese Radiographers and to all its members to put measures into effect for the purposes of identifying elements or aspects of job dissatisfaction. One such measure includes regular job satisfaction surveys, as this would eventually translate itself into improved standards and cost effective patient care, which is public funded in Malta. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY 2003-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51490 Title: Patient satisfaction during the mammographic procedure at St. Luke's Hospital. Abstract: Incident rates for breast cancer in Malta are amongst the highest in Europe (Information Management Unit, 2002) and mammography is the most adequate imaging procedure to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. The monitoring of patient satisfaction is being carried out worldwide and results are used as a primary means of measuring the effectiveness of health care delivery. A high satisfaction with mammography ensures maximum patient compliance, which can positively alter the course and outcome of the patient's health. Patient satisfaction with mammography is presently not surveyed in St. Luke's Hospital. This motivated the researcher to evaluate the current state of affairs at St. Luke's Hospital by circulating a patient satisfaction questionnaire to 12 outpatients attending for a mammography examination, as well as carrying out an interview with two of the participants. The study demonstrated that mammography patients have quite a high satisfaction level with the service they receive at St. Luke's Hospital. When asked what they liked most about the service provided, most patients praised the gentleness and adeptness of the radiographer as well as the efficiency of the service. In fact, all participants agreed that they would choose the same facility for their next mammogram. No significant linear relationship did emerge between the significant increase in patient satisfaction and the participants' demographic data. The researcher concluded that, on the basis of this research study, mammography patients are satisfied with the service provided at St. Luke's Hospital. However, the researcher recommends that this study should be repeated using a larger sample size and including all radiographers working in the mammography unit to produce more statistically significant results and thus firm conclusions can be drawn. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY 2003-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/47416 Title: Diagnosis of mensical tears of the knee joint. Abstract: The knee, being one of the most complex as well as one of the greatest synovial joint in the body, hosts various anatomical components - one of which is the meniscus, better known as the cartilage. There are two menisci - lateral and medial - which are fibrocartilage structures resting on the tibial condyles. These are crescent- or moon-shaped when viewed form the above, but triangular in cross-section. The several functions of the menisci include: stability, lubrication and shock absorption. Injuries of the menisci are commonly encountered lesions in orthopaedic practice. Patients suffering from meniscal injuries can be divided into two categories: elderly patients whose menisci are weak and more prone to injury. the younger group of patients (usually below 40), which suffer meniscal injury related to sport, where the relatively tough and rubbery cartilage is violated due to unwithstanded stress and pressure. The medial meniscus, due to its firm attachment to the medial ligament is more liable to be trapped and tom rather than the more freely moving lateral meniscus, during twisting movements of the knee. The main objectives of the study where fulfilled from a thorough literature search where plenty of methods were found for diagnosing meniscal tears but the most widely and commonly used methods for finding out, confirming and eventually treating meniscal tears are: a medical history followed by a physical test. an x-ray is taken to see if there are any bony conditions or fractures. If from the above methods a tom meniscus is strongly suggested, the patient will be referred directly for arthroscopy satisfying both the diagnostic and surgical aspects at the same time. However, if the doctor is still in doubt after the physical test, the patient will be referred for an MRI. In case the MRI is not available, CT arthrography, spiral CT arthrography and even conventional arthrography may be used. The treatment plan of the patient will then depend on the results obtained in the latter test. If MRI results that the patient is positive to a meniscal tear, arthroscopy could be implied and if the patient's result is negative, the cost involved for arthroscopy will be saved for more needy patients. Description: DIP.RADIOGRAPHY 2003-01-01T00:00:00Z