https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/38748 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:24:14 GMT 2026-04-16T19:24:14Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22979 Title: Health promotion in the family Abstract: The year 1994 has been dedared by the United Nations as the International Year of the Family, indicating the social importance vested in the Family. This investment would be a complete failure if the active members of this same society do not act upon the idea and use the family as the fulcrum for general social improvement. One way of ameliorating society through the family has been acted upon by the Health Promotion Department. What the department has done is that it has changed from the thematic approach that is from themes such as smoking, AIDS, nutrition to the settings approach. This approach is basically looking at society as a number of different settings namely workplace, schools, and families/ communities. This is really a more advanced approach than the thematic one as it encompasses most of society and meets people wherever it is most convenient for them. This, however, does not mean that the themes have been left out, on the contrary, these have been expanded and adapted according to the needs of the different target populations. Thu, 01 Dec 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22979 1994-12-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22974 Title: Reasons for ill health retirement at the Valleta dockyard, Malta 1975-1989 Abstract: The 'reasons for ill health retirement ("boarding out") for employees of the Malta Drydocks Corporation were examined from 1975 up to the end of 1989. The purpose of this research was to see whether there had been any dramatic changes in the importance of different pathologies as seen in similar British industrial units over a similar period. During this period 462 retirements were noted in Valletta, cardiovascular and locomotor pathologies being the main causes of boarding out. However, differences from similar British Units were seen especially with respect to diabetes and visual and psychiatric problems, which were great in the Valletta dockyards. There are many cultural and occupational reasons for this as well as the fact that the results would be influenced by the retirement age in Malta being 61 years of age. Thu, 01 Dec 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22974 1994-12-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22888 Title: Sick leave statistics in a local shipbuilding industry 1990-1991 Abstract: Considering the work environment at a local shipbuilding industry, namely, Malta Shipbuilding. Here, I was employed on a five day week basis, visiting employees reporting sick at their homes. A total number of 2,000 employees were registered on their books during the period in question - namely, 19th October 1990, when I started work, up to the 11 th October 1991 (52 weeks). I was only responsible for half the workforce - that is, 1,000 employees. During this 52 week period, there were 3 weeks of shutdown: from the 15th to the 30th August, and from 24th to 31 st December. In addition, I was off work for four weeks during the whole year. So, I actually worked 45 weeks during the year and visited a total of 1,659 cases averaging 7 to 8 employees per day in a 5 day week. Thu, 01 Dec 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22888 1994-12-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22887 Title: Using psychological skills to promote health in the family Abstract: In the same way as medication has side effects, so also a visit to (or by) the doctor may have psychological "side effects", such as relief, worry, suspicion, guilt feelings or blame. Sometimes psychological factors are themselves the central issues behind the symptoms treated by the doctor, as in the case of psychosomatic illness and stress induced illness. The doctor's role is not merely to diagnose and prescribe treatment, but also to advise patient on lifestyle, attitudes and preventive measures. How well a doctor's propositions are attended to and implemented by the patients and their caregivers depends heavily on how doctors put their message across and the nature of the doctor-patient relationship. What follows is a series of psychological skills that can enable doctors to notice these psychological "side" or central "effects" , and to use these to arrive at an optimal working relationship with the patient. In medical jargon, this paper is a sure-fire prescription for an effective bedside manner. Thu, 01 Dec 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/22887 1994-12-01T00:00:00Z