/library/oar/handle/123456789/39184 2025-11-10T14:25:39Z 2025-11-10T14:25:39Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/134115 2025-04-09T10:28:20Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Announcing MMSC XI Abstract: The last Malta Medical School Conference, the Xth in this series, was held quite some time ago in 2018. Since then, there has been a lot of water under this particular bridge, not least because the COVID 19 pandemic effectively scuppered the projected schedule for the MMSC XI that was due sometime in 2021. The conference was eventually rescheduled for 2024 but these plans were seriously derailed by an inordinate increase in bureaucracy and regulations relating to events involving large sums of money. Despite having made significant progress toward ‘landing’ in 2024, the Organising Committee was instructed to re-issue tenders (twice!), resulting in lengthy delays. Unfortunately, the MMSC Organising Committee, as an entity within the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, was obliged to work within the rules pertaining to the UOM, and with all the bureaucracy that that entails. Ultimately, the Committee settled for a venue acceptable to the establishment, but this incurred a further 12-month delay and an-almost-doubling of the initial projected costs!

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Agius, Adrian Mark /library/oar/handle/123456789/134114 2025-04-09T10:27:45Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Climate change, global warming and the upper respiratory airways : a review Authors: Agius, Adrian Mark Abstract: The progressive rise in air pollution has been linked to increased respiratory morbidity and mortality. Recent decades have seen increased demands for medical treatment accompanied by an increased risk of hospitalization and rise in premature deaths. Climate change contributes to air pollution by affecting the dispersal of primary pollutants, principally particulate matter PM2.5 and by increasing the formation of secondary pollutants, mainly surface ozone close to ground level. Climate change is inherently associated with an increase in the prevalence of rhinitis, and its associated deterioration in quality of life.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Parnis, Juanita Muscat, Esther Magri Gatt, Petra /library/oar/handle/123456789/134113 2025-04-09T10:25:50Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Practices of sun protection after skin cancer surgery in Malta Authors: Parnis, Juanita; Muscat, Esther; Magri Gatt, Petra Abstract: BACKGROUND: Overexposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is well known to be linked to the development of skin cancer. Our study aims to identify changes in patient practices after being diagnosed with skin cancer. Moreover, we identify areas of improvement which clinicians and health care staff can work on to improve patient awareness of harmful effects of UV radiation.; METHODS: 97 patients who had a skin cancer procedure at the Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit at Mater Dei Hospital, from January to March 2020, were included. Questionnaires were sent out, the data was anonymized and then inputted into an excel sheet.; RESULTS: A response rate of 63.9% was obtained. 51% of the patients stated that they avoided midday sun exposure before and after their surgical procedure and 24% started avoiding the midday sun after their cancer diagnosis. 48% of the patients used sun protective accessories before and after their surgery, 16% started using them after their surgery and 32% do not use accessories to protect themselves from the sun. 33% of the patients used sunblock before and after the procedure, 22% of them claimed that they started using sunblock after the surgery but 45% of them said that they do not use sunblock at all.; CONCLUSION: This study shows that a number of skin cancer patients are still not aware of the dangers of sun exposure. Therefore, more work needs to be done locally, not only in terms of primary prevention but also in secondary prevention following a skin cancer intervention.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Barbara, Patrick Bellizzi, Annalise Barbara, David Camilleri, Aloisia /library/oar/handle/123456789/134111 2025-04-09T10:24:39Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Burnout among mental health professionals working in an inpatient setting within the Maltese NHS Authors: Barbara, Patrick; Bellizzi, Annalise; Barbara, David; Camilleri, Aloisia Abstract: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to quantitatively explore the prevalence of job related burnout in mental health professionals working in an inpatient setting. The phenomenon of burnout is understood as a process involving three core features: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and low personal accomplishment.; METHOD: The study population consisted of all the psychiatry doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers working in an inpatient psychiatric setting in the Maltese Islands. A cross-sectional anonymous self report survey was administered, this included demographic and job related questions and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS-MP).; RESULTS: The response rate was n= 71%. The burnout levels in this cohort of healthcare workers were similar to those found in other countries. 13.9% of the study population reported all the core features of burnout. 70.4% appeared to be moderately to highly emotionally exhausted.; CONCLUSION: This study identified the need for services to start assessing and working to improve the mental wellbeing of the mental health service providers in Malta.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z