https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/57237 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:12:50 GMT 2026-04-17T16:12:50Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68092 Title: Nurses' attitudes towards care plans Abstract: This study aims to discover nurses' attitudes towards care plans, and to identify whether these are influenced by a nurse's grade and the type of education received. It also attempts to answer what nurses understand by care plans and how these are most useful to them. A survey was conducted over a period of five days, using a questionnaire as a tool for collecting data. The sample included all of the nurse managers, staff nurses and enrolled nurses working on one of the wards in Zammit Clapp Hospital. The results seem to demonstrate that an overall positive attitude towards care plans is exhibited, the enrolled nurses exhibiting the most positive attitude, followed by the nurse managers and finally the staff nurses. Education seems to have a positive effect on attitude towards care plans. The nurses seem to demonstrate an awareness of the nursing process and a basic understanding of care planning. Further research is needed, preferably using interviews and observation for the collection of data. This would allow the subjects to expand on their response and would demonstrate what actually takes place. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING Sat, 01 Jan 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/68092 1994-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67912 Title: A profile of social cases on medical wards Abstract: The study was carried out to develop a profile of the patient labelled as a 'social case' on medical wards in St. Luke's Hospital. A clearer understanding of the term 'social case' was deemed necessary as the term is widely used in St. Luke's Hospital. Moreover, 'social cases' appear to be a possible risk group for becoming unpopular patients. The study also aimed at identifying nurses' definitions of the term 'social case' and their feelings about having 'social cases' on their ward. The reviewed literature generally identified the term 'bedblocker' rather than 'social case', though it was found that some patients were admitted for social reasons, rather than medical ones. In fact, 'social admission' was actually written down as part of the information used for diagnostic purposes. The bedblocker was usually a female widow, over 7 5 years of age and she would be admitted to hospital from home. The most common medical diagnosis was found to be cerebrovascular disease. The research method used was content analysis of the patients' medical records. From the study it was identified that the majority of 'social cases' were females. They were also more likely to be widows (80%), in the 76-78 age category (30o/o) and generally they were admitted from home (90% ). Contrary to what was expected, 'social cases' were regularly visited by their relatives (90%). However the majority were referred to St. Vincent de Paule residence (60%). An important recommendation, based on research findings is to set up a bed management group within the hospital, focusing on monitoring of discharges. Other recommendations include discharge planning, improved multidisciplinary teamwork and more community support facilities. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING Sat, 01 Jan 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67912 1994-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67579 Title: The effect of psychiatric nursing education and experience on the student nurses' attitudes towards mental illness Abstract: The aims of this study are: 1) to identify nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness prior to the psychiatric nursing module. 2) to identify nursing students' attitudes towards mental illness after the psychiatric nursing module. 3) to compare the pretest and post-test attitudes and see whether there is any difference between them. To achieve these aims a questionnaire was administered to a group of nursing students following a Diploma in Nursing course prior to a 10-week psychiatric nursing module. An almost identical questionnaire was administered to them after the module. The results from these two questionnaires were compared. The results of this study show that the students held many stereotypes of the mentally ill and their illness prior to the module and that they were afraid that getting close to these people would place them in risk of physical harm. However these attitudes changed towards the positive direction following the module. Recommendations include: - an educational programme for society, - in-service training for staff working at Mount Carmel Hospital, - a mentorship system for students undertaking psychiatric nursing experience. educational I clinical audit of wards in Mount Carmel Hospital, St. Luke's Hospital and St. Vincent de Paule Hospital. psychiatric nursing branch programme. - further research regarding the topic. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING Sat, 01 Jan 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/67579 1994-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66533 Title: The attitudes of Maltese nurses towards the use of computers in clinical practice Abstract: The few studies regarding nurses' attitudes towards the use of computers that have been undertaken were all carried out abroad, so this study is intended to identify the attitudes that are prevalent in Malta and give scope for further research in this field of Nursing. A questionnaire was devised to identify the attitudes of nurses towards the use of computers in clinical practice, to assess their familiarity with computers and to determine whether gender, work area and years of nursing experience influence nurses' attitudes. A pilot study was carried out using a sample of 3 State Registered Nurses, 10.7% of the total study population (28 nurses). The questionnaire was seen to be reasonably valid and reliable and required only minimal amendments before being used in the main study. The results obtained demonstrated very positive attitudes towards computers prevailing among nurses, and gender, work area and years of nursing experience were found to affect these attitudes. The author finally recommends computer training or awareness courses for staff, nursing and other, who may later be involved in using computers and several other recommendations that one must consider before introducing a computer system into the local hospital setting. Description: B.SC.(HONS)NURSING Sat, 01 Jan 1994 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/66533 1994-01-01T00:00:00Z