https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/33336 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 04:37:08 GMT 2026-06-05T04:37:08Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4429 Title: Dangerous creatures of the Maltese sea : injuries and treatment : part 2 Authors: Sammut, David James Abstract: This is the second of a two-part article intended to give information about different organisms which inhabit the Maltese sea and which are potentially harmful. Doctors working in the primary health setup and sometimes also in secondary care are often faced with injuries related to these organisms. The nature of the injury and its treatment is then discussed. Treatment however is not evidenced based as little if any studies have been conducted in this field of medicine. After the first article considered venomous organisms, this second article will review sea creatures that may cause injury through bites, spines and electricity. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4429 2013-04-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4428 Title: A study of general practice consultations at Mosta Health Centre, Malta Authors: Cuschieri, Sarah; Sammut, Mario R. Abstract: Primary care is the first contact for patients with health related problems. In Malta, primary health is provided by both private and state sectors. The state services are free-of-charge and provide a 24 hrs walk-in GP service at health centres as well as community care, immunisation and local clinics (bereg) for free prescriptions and blood pressure monitoring. The aim of this study was to obtain basic demographic data and reasons for encounter (RfEs) of patients attending Mosta Health Centre from 8am to 5pm between 16th July and 7th October 2012. The RfE data were collected with the International Classification of Primary Care Version 2 (ICPC-2) and compared with data from local and international studies. Patients attending the clinic during the first author’s allocated time at the GP clinic were anonymously recorded and data collected was organised according to gender, age, locality and RfE. The RfEs were classified according to ICPC-2 criteria. A total of 271 patients were reviewed, where 132 were male and 139 females. The age of patients ranged between 2 months and 86 years. The majority of patients were from Mosta and St. Paul’s Bay. The commonest RfE according to ICPC-2 was musculoskeletal complaints. Data collected showed that in general practice the reasons for consultations is vast with the most common RfEs being musculoskeletal problems, administrative work, health check-ups, respiratory problems and blood pressure monitoring. Improvement of the primary care services with an increase in resources would decrease the burden on secondary care. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4428 2013-04-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4427 Title: Drug-drug interactions in repeat prescriptions at village dispensaries (bereg) in Malta Authors: Bugeja, Anton Abstract: Inappropriate treatments and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are known to occur in settings where repeat prescriptions are issued. In view of this, a study was carried out to document any such problematic drug prescribing and propose changes that would enhance patient safety. A random sample of 100 clients who requested a repeat prescription at a group of peripheral village dispensaries (bere©) in southern Malta was chosen and following anonymisation, the drugs requested for such prescriptions were entered into a database. A freely available online DDI checker was used in the analysis of the results and these were rechecked through the appropriate section of the British National Formulary. The resulting DDIs were then grouped according to type, potential effect or disease for which the drugs were used. A total of 255 DDIs were detected in the prescriptions of 53 clients. Drug combinations with a potential for increased hypotensive effect were the most common cause of DDIs (49.8%) in this sample, but other categories of DDIs were found. These included DDIs which could affect the management of diabetic patients (27.3%), patients on psychiatric treatment (7%) and anticoagulants (4.8%) as well as DDIs that affected serum potassium levels (2.2%). The results obtained indicate that DDIs are common at a number of peripheral village dispensaries in Malta, and these could affect disease management in some patients. Other DDIs can be potentially harmful. Awareness, knowledge and vigilance by the prescribers involved remains crucial to address the issues raised by DDIs. Suggestions for addressing these issues on an administrative level are proposed. Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4427 2013-04-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4426 Title: Journal of the Malta College of Family Doctors : volume 2 : issue 1 Authors: Mallia, Pierre Editors: Agius, Dominic Abstract: The mission of the Journal of the Malta College of Family Doctors (JMCFD) is to deliver accurate, relevant and inspiring research, continued medical education and debate in family medicine with the aim of encouraging improved patient care through academic development of the discipline. The JMCFD strives to achieve its role to disseminate information on the objectives and activities of the College. Description: Contents: Future prospects of the College - Pierre Mallia; The contemporary College and Council - Jason J Bonnici; Immersion pulmonary oedema in a scuba diver - Mario Saliba; eHealth and mHealth - bridging gaps in health care - Martina Falzon Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/4426 2013-04-01T00:00:00Z