https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/57222 2026-04-14T16:11:02Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68093 Title: Family adaptation in end stage renal disease patients undergoing haemodialysis Abstract: Research shows that Haemodialysis affects not only the patient, but also spouses and family members (Biris et al 2002; Ferrario et al 2002; Daneker et al 2001). The aim of the study was to explore Family Adaptation in patients with ESRD undergoing haemodialysis. This small-scale qualitative study used a semistructured, face-to-face interview. Roy's Adaptation Model was the framework of the study. A convenience sample of 10 patients undergoing haemodialysis in the Local General Hospital was selected for the project. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified namely family adaptation by changes in family lifestyle, family adaptation by changes in relationships and factors influencing family adaptation. These findings suggest that the family experienced changes in family lifestyles and relationships. Factors such as love, independence of the patient, acceptance of the situation and religious beliefs appear to help the family towards adaptation. On the other end, chronicity of haemodialysis, fear of death and total dependence of patients hindered this adaptation. Following a discussion of the findings, several recommendations for clinical practice and education were made. Further research is suggested to explore adaptation of the family having a patient on haemodialysis in more depth. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67832 Title: Assessment of the quality of life of people with rheumatoid arthritis Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of people with rheumatoid arthritis. A convenience sample of 22 people with rheumatoid arthritis attending the outpatients Rheumatology Clinic was selected. A descriptive, exploratory, and cross-sectional study was carried out. A pre-formulated questionnaire Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data. Descriptive statistics were employed to evaluate the findings of the study. The findings showed that people with rheumatoid arthritis achieved low scores across most of quality of life dimensions except for the social functioning dimension. These findings imply that people with rheumatoid arthritis have poor self-reported health status which affects their quality of life. The deficits in all dimensions of living particularly in the dimension measuring role limitations due to physical problems and bodily pain were the greatest. Moreover, the impact of disability was greater in the younger and female population. This study gives insight into the adverse affects of rheumatoid arthritis on most aspects of functioning and wellbeing. An important message from this study is that special attention needs to be focused on the impact of the condition in providing care for a person with rheumatoid arthritis. In view of all this recommendations for practice and suggestions for further research are given. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67818 Title: Nurses' perceptions of chronic pain relief Abstract: Chronic pain is a common prevalence globally and occurs in 60% of adults with cancer and 95% of patients with advanced disease (Thomas and Weiss 2000). Research showed that nurses play an important role in the assessment and management of patients' pain as they spend more time with patients than any other health professional group (Nash et al 1999). The main aim of this study was to explore how Maltese nurses perceive chronic pain as well as their knowledge and perceptions on the different methods of chronic pain relief that they use and consider to be effective. Therefore a small-scale study was carried out to explore nurses' perceptions of chronic pain relief. A non-experimental, small-scale exploratory descriptive study was undertaken using quantitative and qualitative data obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. The sample was randomly chosen. It consisted of 20 Maltese nurses working on the oncology and dermatology wards of Sir Paul Boffa Hospital. The response rate was 100%. Results from this study indicated that Maltese nurses have adequate knowledge regarding chronic pain and they are aware of the importance of proper pain assessment. The majority of nurses feel that they have a good level of knowledge with regards to pharmacological analgesia and they do feel confident in educating patients in this area. Nurses tend to use pharmacological interventions more often than non-pharmacological interventions and they are not familiar with all the non-phannacological interventions mentioned. They did not feel that their basic nursing education prepared them adequately to manage chronic pain relief, and the need for more knowledge was expressed. This study indicates the need for farther development in knowledge and skills regarding chronic pain relief by various ways, including self-study and by organising continuing education programmes about the management of chronic pain. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67495 Title: Communicating with the critically ill Abstract: This descriptive, non-experimental study aimed to investigate the communication of critical care nurses with the critically ill patients, with the latter experiencing barriers to communication. The barriers effecting communication comprised of sedation and mechanical ventilation. The study took place in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a Maltese General Hospital. While exploring nurse-patient communication in ICU, the study sought to assess the time a critical care nurse spent verbally communicating with the critically ill patients, the content of nurse's communication with the critically ill and the methods of communication nurses frequently used with such patients. Six nurses satisfying the eligibility criteria to voluntary participation were conveniently selected. Findings suggest that nurses are well aware of the importance of communication, but despite of this awareness, communication between nurses and their patients revealed to be relatively low even among nurses who ranked their levels of communication with their patients as high. Most of this communication consisted of short term informative content concerned with informing the patient of immediate procedural matters or providing reassurance. The methods of communication frequently used by nurses were shown to be verbal communication succeeded by eye-contact and touch. Amongst various recommendations made regards education, practice and further research, it was recommended that more emphasis is made on the importance of communication, the initiation and update of courses on communication, and further research regards such field for a better understanding and practice of good communication. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z