https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/41135 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:59:40 GMT 2026-04-19T18:59:40Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111431 Title: Going home from hospital : the perceived post discharge needs and challenges of Maltese homebound elderly individuals and their informal carers Abstract: Literature revealed that the transition from acute care back into the community may be accompanied with a myriad of needs and challenges influencing the bio-psycho-social spiritual aspects of life of both elderly individuals and their informal carers especially in the immediate weeks following discharge. This study explored how Maltese homebound elderly individuals and their informal carers describe the immediate needs and challenges of everyday life in the first two to three weeks following discharge. A qualitative case study approach was adopted and data were collected via face-to-face semi-structured interviews with homebound elders and their informal together with document analysis of the discharge letter and forms. The Multiple case method was adopted where three families were chosen as life cases. Each case was made up of a Maltese elder individual discharged from the local acute general hospital in the months of November or December 2010 following either a medical, surgical or orthopeadic admission diagnosis and his/ her nominated informal carer/s. Miles and Huberman's (1994) model of analysis together with the six phases of thematic analysis outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006) were merged and adopted as the framework guiding the data analysis. Participants felt that there was very little discharge planning. Moreover, the three elderly participants identified physical needs as a prominent concern in the immediate weeks, whilst informal carers remarked that they felt physically and emotionally exhausted with the new role of carer which had repercussions on their health and family relationships. Moreover, both elders and informal carers went through a period of frustration and psychological distress characterised by panic, uncertainty, sadness and fear. The impact and challenges of becoming homebound or an informal carer for the first time strongly emerged, accompanied with social and financial needs which were quite pertinent issues for the three families. The participants mentioned various coping strategies which they adopted. These included spirituality, adjustment in their life routines and environment, prioritizing, laying down the rules and delegating. This study raised in-depth issues around the perceived needs and challenges of these two vulnerable groups following hospitalisation providing the building blocks for different larger studies. Different recommendations for education and practice were presented including the introduction of structured discharge planning which prepares and caters for the holistic needs of both the patients and their informal carers for their return to the community. Description: M.SC.NURSING Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111431 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111307 Title: The effect on stigma on carers of people with mental illness Abstract: There is a plethora of nursing literature about stigma in mental illness, though there is a paucity of studies exploring stigma by association. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of carers of people with mental illness with regards to stigma towards mental illness, their perceptions with regards to stigma by association, whether they gained any beneficial effects and to outline the factors which help them deal with this perceived stigma. An exploratory and quantitative small scale survey design was undertaken. A self-administered questionnaire was used and a convenience sample of fifty carers of patients currently availing themselves of services from the state-owned hospital participated. Findings suggest that 72% of the participants agreed that mental illness is associated with stigma. Carers also agreed that their self-esteem and their relationship with family members were affected. However, as a family, these carers disagreed that they were treated differently because they had a mentally ill relative. 68% of the participants felt supported in carrying the burden of caring for their ill relative and only few reported mental health problems of their own. Blame and concealment was only reported by 40% of the carers. Support from family, information about mental illness, the new advances in treatment and care of mental illness were the most helpful factors reported by the carers. A small number outlines that talking with mental health professionals and interaction with other families as helpful. Media coverage on mental illness was found to be the least helpful. The beneficial effects reported by these carers were personal satisfaction, stronger relationships and increased knowledge. Recommendations based on these findings include involvement of these carers in the care planning of their relatives' illness; counselling and support for carers; informative campaigns to educate everyone about mental illness and the stigma related to it. Moreover, the results also suggests for further larger scale research incorporating more participants to give a broader view on the perception on stigma. Description: B.SC.(HONS)MENTAL HEALTH NURSING Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111307 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111217 Title: Guidance for radiographers providing forensic services in Malta Abstract: Introduction: In the majority of cases where there is a suspicious or accidental death, radiographers are required to perform planar x-ray imaging of the cadaver or body part. Research Objectives: The research objectives of this study were to explore what are the procedures which are followed in forensic imaging locally and to explore what the stakeholders in forensic medicine think should be included in the guidelines which the researcher intended to create for the radiographers in Malta. Also, the main aim of this study was to create a set of guidelines which radiographers in Malta could follow before and during imaging, so as to ensure that appropriate procedures are continuously followed and to safeguard the preservation of vital forensic evidence. Methodology: This study was conducted using a cross-sectional, non-experimental survey design. A structured interview designed for forensic experts, together with a questionnaire designed for the radiographers, were utilised for the collection of data which aided in the formulation of guidelines for radiographers performing forensic imaging. Results: The findings of this study indicated that radiographers felt that guidelines would be useful in their work especially for standardisation purposes, even though it has to be acknowledged that not all radiographers were in favour of the formation and implementation of such guidelines. After the data collection, it could also be concluded that forensic imaging guidelines as well as forensic imaging training is needed since not all radiographers were constant in their answers about procedures and about their knowledge on the subject. Conclusion: From the data collected, the researcher found out the procedures that are followed in forensic imaging cases in Malta and with this data, the researcher compiled a set of forensic imaging guidelines that could be adopted in the Medical Imaging Department. Description: B.SC.(HONS)RADIOGRAPHY Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/111217 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/107018 Title: An investigation into the psychological anxiety of Maltese women before and after a mammogram Abstract: Mammography is the standard procedure that is used in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Despite its beneficial effects, it has also been associated with psychological distress in women attending for a mammogram. Maltese women are very conscious of breast cancer and almost everyone knows someone who was diagnosed with the disease. Consequently a vast number of women are referred for a mammogram for reassurance. Whether these women are anxious or not is not known. This unknown factor motivated the author to undertake the study to ascertain whether or not Maltese women were psychologically anxious when they attend for a mammogram. The study involved the participation of 150 Maltese women aged 35 years and over who attended for a mammogram at the main NHS hospital on the Islands. The women were equally divided into two groups. Each individual group consisted of 75 women either without family history or with a family history of breast cancer. Anxiety levels immediately before and immediately after the mammogram were measured using the State and Trait Inventory for Adults developed by C.D. Spielberger. A quantitative cross-sectional non-experimental design was used to analyse the State (S-anxiety) anxiety of the women. The Paired Sample Test, the one way ANOV A and the Pearson Correlation were used to analyse the data collated. From the statistical analysis it resulted that Maltese women in both groups were significantly more anxious before than after the procedure. A positive correlation existed between their pre and post mean S-anxiety levels. When the two groups were compared between each other it resulted in no significant difference between their mean S-anxiety levels. A negative relationship existed between the women's age and their S-anxiety levels. From the results obtained the researcher concluded that Maltese women were anxious because of the procedure, irrespective of whether they had a family history or not. There was no difference in the anxiety levels of the two groups when compared to each other. It was also concluded that if the women were anxious before the procedure they remained anxious after the procedure. From the correlation analysis it transpired that the younger the women were, the more anxious they felt. Certain recommendations concluded the study. Amongst these, it was recommended that detailed infom1ation and explanation should be given to the women prior to the mammogram. Moreover, further studies should be undertaken to investigate the reasons why Maltese women were anxious before the procedure. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/107018 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z