https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/318 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:51:44 GMT 2026-04-17T16:51:44Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145515 Title: Nursing decision-making for health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe : the ENVISION study Authors: Clari, Marco; Conti, Alessio; Berthelsen, Connie; Bieber, Anja; Brajshori, Naime; Henriques, Adriana; Huber, Claudia; Kane, Ros; Kyranou, Maria; Lethin, Connie; Sammut, Roberta; Velonaki, Venetia Sofia; Vrbnjak, Dominika; Wiisak, Johanna; Zabalegui, Adelaida; Albanesi, Beatrice; Casabona, Elena; Riva-Rovedda, Federica; Ingerslev Loft, Mia; Sixtus Jensen, Claus; Suhonen, Riitta; Meyer, Gabriele; Karavani, Nikoletta; Costa, Andreia; Pajnkihar, Majda; Romih, Gregor; Alite Cerezuela, Paula; Vizcaya-Moreno, M. Flores; Bökberg, Christina; Hofstetter-Hefti, Gabriela; Cooke, Samuel Abstract: Background: The participation of nurse leaders in decision-making has been described as vital for healthcare organisations. However, their involvement in health policy-making is still suboptimal and their contribution is frequently unnoticed. This study aimed to understand the contribution of nurse leaders in decision and policy-making during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform future health crisis management.; Methods: A qualitative study using a thematic approach was carried out together with the European Academy of Nursing Science between January 2022 to December 2023.; Findings: 74 nurse leaders from 14 different European countries were interviewed. During COVID-19 pandemic, nurse leaders contributed to redesign nursing care delivery, opening COVID wards, designing vaccination units, and readapting nursing students’ curricula. Nurse leaders addressed the uncertainty through shared decision-making, based on real-time knowledge and available evidence. Self-confidence, empathy, and the ability to adapt to a changing situation were considered essential to fulfil their professional duties. Due to the lack of effective ready-made solutions, nurse leaders were concerned about the consequences of their decisions throughout the pandemic, generating feelings of anxiety and uncertainty.; Conclusion: The pandemic made the role and competence of nurse leaders more visible, highlighting the importance of their contribution to healthcare systems.; Implications for nursing and nursing policy: The results of this study highlight the urgent need for healthcare systems to improve their preparedness for future health crises. Moreover, due to the fundamental contribution that nurse leaders had on the management of the pandemic, from clinical to educational settings, the position of nurse leaders in decision-making processes must be strengthened. Description: Supplementary Information is available within this record. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145515 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145514 Title: Diabetes educational interventions in care homes : a scoping review Authors: Walker, Kathie-Anne; Craig, Stephanie; Anderson, Tara; Stark, Patrick; Brown Wilson, Christine; Carter, Gillian; McEvoy, Claire; Creighton, Laura; Henderson, Elizabeth; Porter, Shannon; Alhalaiqa, Fadwa; Ferranti, Erin; Patel Murali, Komal; Zheng, Yaguang; Sammut, Roberta; Shaban, Marwa Mamdouh; Tam, Hon Lon; Buzás, Norbert; Leidl, Don; Mitchell, Gary Abstract: Background: Diabetes affects approximately 10.5% of the global adult population and is more prevalent in care homes due to residents’ advanced age and multimorbidity. Effective diabetes management in these settings is essential to prevent complications and maintain quality of life, yet evidence addressing the specific needs of this population remains limited. High-quality care relies on access to appropriate clinical education. This scoping review will synthesise evidence on educational interventions to support diabetes care provision in care home settings.; Methods: This scoping review was undertaken in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across three electronic databases: CINAHL Plus, Medline, and PsycINFO. Methodological quality of the included primary studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).; Results: In total, 10 studies were included in the review, encompassing evidence from a range of international contexts. Analysis revealed three prominent themes; Firstly, educating nurses about diabetes can improve practice and behaviour. Secondly, educational interventions can increase staff knowledge and confidence, which is linked to enhancing the quality of care. Finally, a range of facilitators and barriers influencing the delivery of diabetes training in care homes were identified.; Discussion: The review suggests that educational interventions in care homes can enhance diabetes care. However, while the current evidence is encouraging, there are a lack of empirically tested educational interventions for diabetes education in this setting. Further, current educational programmes appear to lack key detail including footcare, eye care and COVID-19. To ensure the provision of high-quality diabetic care, it is therefore important to enhance the training and education of staff members. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145514 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145495 Title: Nursing preventive cardiology : from guidelines to practice Abstract: This podcast is an educational resource developed for undergraduate nursing students on preventive cardiology. It includes an introductory segment on cardiovascular prevention guidelines followed by three case-based episodes addressing primary prevention, prevention in multimorbidity, and secondary prevention.; The content is based on the 2021 European Society of Cardiology guidelines and supporting literature. The podcast was generated using Google NotebookLM, with curated source documents uploaded to ensure alignment with guideline-based content. All outputs were reviewed for accuracy and educational relevance.; Developed as an educational intervention for a randomised study comparing podcast-based and reading-based learning among undergraduate nursing students. Description: Version 1.1 (Final educational resource) Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145495 2025-10-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145434 Title: Life after intensive care : identity, recovery, and the evolving needs of post-ICU patients Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to explore how former Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients interpreted their critical care experiences and how these influenced their evolving identity, emotional recovery, and reintegration into everyday life following discharge. Research Design: A qualitative research design was employed, using narrative inquiry (NI) as its methodological framework. The study was underpinned by Clandinin and Connelly’s three-dimensional narrative structure: temporality, sociality, and spatiality. Identity Theory (IT) provided a framework to understand how participants’ sense of self changed after ICU. Narrative inquiry and Identity Theory guided both data collection and interpretation. Settings: The study was conducted within the community setting in Malta. All interviews took place after the participants had returned home from their ICU stay. Participants: Six former ICU patients who had spent a minimum of four days in intensive care were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. All participants had been discharged home, fluent in Maltese or English and able to reflect on their experience. Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted in Maltese. The interviews were transcribed, translated, and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s approach. Results: 1) Emotional and Psychological Struggles, including vivid memories and coping strategies like faith and inner strength; 2) Interpersonal Support and Recovery, highlighting the role of family and continuity of care in emotional healing and validating survivors’ experiences; 3) Transformations through Survival, reflecting changes in self-perception, priorities, and identity, with a renewed sense of purpose. Discussion: The study highlights that ICU recovery extends beyond physical healing. Survivors undergo a complex emotional and identity reconstruction process, influenced by both personal resilience and the quality of support received. Recommendations: Post-ICU care should adopt trauma-informed, identity-sensitive, and person-centred approaches. Structured follow-up, family engagement, and opportunities for narrative expression may enhance long-term recovery. Further research is recommended to explore gendered identity shifts and relational aspects of survivorship. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145434 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z