https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51342 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:46:44 GMT 2026-04-08T19:46:44Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51458 Title: Can a profession exist without research? Authors: England, Andrew; Robertson, Scott; Ogenyi, Prince Ameh Abstract: Radiography combines science, technology and patient care to provide an essential role in medical diagnosis and treatment. The term ‘profession’ has existed in the Oxford English Dictionary from the 15th century and argues that a profession is an occupation where professional knowledge is applied by someone who has undertaken prolonged training and obtained a formal qualification (Oxford English Dictionary Online; 2007). For most of history, professions have based their practices on expertise derived from experience passed down in the form of tradition. Even in health care, many practices have still not been justified by evidence and as such there are areas of uncertainty. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51458 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51457 Title: An exploration of attitudes towards psychological interventions for pain management amongst Maltese pain chronic sufferers Authors: Portelli, Pamela Abstract: Chronic pain is a living reality for many individuals. Research reveals that individuals are often reluctant to seek psychological help. Chronic pain research and attitudes towards psychological treatment among a Maltese chronic pain population is solely lacking. This study sought to explore attitudes towards psychological interventions for the management of chronic pain amongst persons with chronic pain. A grounded theory methodology was adopted. Interviews were conducted with 21 participants. Five superordinate categories comprising 12 sub-categories were generated. An attitude model reflecting inter-relationships between categories was developed. The theory entitled ‘Readiness to Try What Ever it Takes’ reveals that a number of facilitating factors contribute to the formation of positive attitudes to psychological help-seeking. Although the study did not reveal polarized views in relation to gender, impeding factors comprising negative affect, lacking resources and stigma hinder help-seeking behaviour. Most participants were unfamiliar with psychological services for pain management. Findings also indicate that individuals who perceive a link between psychological factors and pain are not necessarily more inclined to access psychological help, mostly because help-seeking behaviour is influenced by an array of psychosocial factors which are difficult to quantify. Service uptake can be enhanced by adopting a bio-psychosocial framework incorporating cultural factors and a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment involving not just health care professionals, but also significant others who influence the chronic pain sufferers’ decision-making, including family members and the clergy. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51457 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51456 Title: Midwives' perceptions of work related stress in midwifery in Malta Authors: Grech, Lauren Marie; Hili, Christie Abstract: Work-related stress (WRS) is a major issue in healthcare, with the midwifery profession ranked as one of the most stressful occupations. This issue in midwifery has not yet been addressed in local research. This study aimed to explore midwives’ perceptions of WRS in midwifery practice in Malta, by identifying which factors contribute to WRS and how WRS affects the delivery of care and midwives’ wellbeing. A non-randomised cross-sectional study was conducted whereby a self-designed questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 50 midwives working at three obstetric wards, the delivery suite and the neonatal unit at a local state hospital. Quantitative data were analysed using simple descriptive statistics whilst content analysis was used to analyse answers from the open-ended questions. The study yielded a response rate of 76% (n = 38). Participants identified lack of staff and resources, high patient load, daily rates of inductions of labour and caesarean sections as stress-contributing factors. Results also showed that WRS has a negative impact on midwives’ provision of care and their physical and psychological wellbeing. The study identified several stressful factors and found that these negatively impact local midwives’ wellbeing and pose a threat to the delivery of midwifery care. Future research exploring the effects of WRS in more depth and using larger samples is recommended. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51456 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51455 Title: Determining the frequency of colton blood group antigens Coa and Cob in the Maltese population Authors: Sutton, Gabriella; Debono, Jesmond; Borg, Joseph J. Abstract: This study aimed at identifying the frequency of two blood group antigens of interest within the Colton (Co) blood group system, Coa and Cob , the higher and lower prevalence antigens respectively. The antigenic frequency was determined using the polymerase chain reaction-allele specific primer extension (PCR-ASPE) technique on a sample size of 68 adult Maltese blood donor samples and 351 neonatal cord blood samples. The aforementioned methodology enabled the molecular typing of the missense variant in the aquaporin 1 (AQP1) gene (NM_198098:c.134C>T; rs28362692), responsible for the single amino acid change of Ala45Val (alanine for Coa and valine for Cob at position 45) (NP_932766:p.Ala45Val) within the AQP1 protein chain. As a result of the missense variant, the Colton phenotypes Co(a+b-), Co(a+b+) and Co(a-b+) could be identified through the stipulated PCR-ASPE technique, and the rare phenotype, Co(a-b+), if detected, would also be subjected to DNA sequencing. Analysis of raw data unveiled that the Co(a+b-) phenotype was the most prevalent in both the donor pool (88.23%) and the cord blood pool (86.04%), whilst the Co(a+b+) phenotype revealed a lower occurrence in the donor pool (5.88%) and the cord blood pool (6.98%). The Co(a-b+) was not encountered in the donor and cord blood samples tested, negating the need for DNA sequencing. The novelty of this study can be seen in the unprecedented determination of the frequency of the Coa and Cob antigens within the Maltese population. Outlining the Colton blood group antigen frequencies is a significant step to understand any susceptibilities to the development of the pertinent antibodies, thus aiding in the reduction of Haemolytic Transfusion Reactions (HTRs) and Haemolytic Disease of the Foetus and Newborn (HDFN). Moreover, research of this calibre would expand the local database of molecular typing of blood group antigens, improving transfusion. Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/51455 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z