/library/oar/handle/123456789/12447 2026-01-02T11:27:47Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13184 Title: The Synapse : the medical professionals' network Editors: Galea, Wilfred; Ellul, Ian C. Abstract: Apart from the normal articles regarding medicine, this issue contains also the following: Caring beyond the immediate (Charmaine Gauci) - Marika Azzopardi 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13167 Title: The changing face of medicine throughout the ages Authors: Saliba, Mario Abstract: The art of medicine is not talked much about these days. Patients figure it out, too, for the art of medicine transcends all else when an anxious individual confronting death or a serious illness looks at us and asks, “What’s the best for me?” Our response distinguishes medicine as a timeless noble craft from medicine that’s is simply the interpreation of lab results which for the patient means nothing. There has always been a mixture of art and science but over the ages this art/ science ratio has undergone a dramatic change. Using the 20th century retrospectoscope, it would appear that medicine in the past was predominantly art with only a little science thrown in. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13104 Title: One World, one home, one heart : the theme for World Heart Day Authors: Gauci, Charmaine Abstract: World Heart Day was created in 2000 to inform people around the world that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year. In Malta, ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death accounting for 21% of all deaths. In 2010, there were 319 male deaths and 328 female deaths, a decrease of 47 male deaths and an increase of 19 female deaths over the previous year. In partnership with WHO, the World Heart Federation organizes awareness events in more than 100 countries. These events vary from one country to another and include free health checks, organized walks, runs and fitness sessions, public talks, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, carnivals and sports tournaments. The World Heart Day takes place on 29 September each year. This year the theme is One World, One Home, One Heart focusing on women and children. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/13103 Title: Are we over-investigating our patients? Authors: Cauchi, Maurice N. Abstract: There has always been controversy about the value of several new (and expensive) methods of investigating disease, particularly cancer. The argument which has been accepted by most physicians has always been that the earlier diagnosis is made, the better the prognosis. We feel much happier when we can remove an obvious cancerous mass, and have relied on the concept of ‘disease-free interval’ as the benchmark of success. If advanced diagnostic techniques had no other drawback apart from cost to the community, this argument seemed reasonable enough. However, voices against such a blanket approach have become more strident in recent years. 2012-01-01T00:00:00Z