/library/oar/handle/123456789/317 2026-06-10T13:23:43Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/147120 Title: The process of informed consent and decision-making in invasive aesthetic procedures Abstract: Background: Informed consent is a key component of ethical, patient-centred healthcare delivery, ensuring individuals are thoroughly informed about the risks, benefits and alternatives of procedures. Given the increasing number of aesthetic procedures being carried out and the limited research on individuals’ understanding of the risks, benefits and alternatives of informed consent in aesthetic procedures, this research study sought to explore the process of informed consent and the decision-making process of individuals undergoing invasive aesthetic procedures. To address this aim, this research study was guided by three objectives; To explore and examine the informed consent process in invasive aesthetic procedures, to explore the decision-making process in invasive aesthetic procedures and to examine how demographic factors influence patients’ understanding of informed consent in aesthetic procedures. Methodology: A parallel convergent mixed-methods design was adopted. Data was collected using a self-developed structured questionnaire, which underwent face and content validation (n=270) and semi-structured interviews (n=8), from individuals who underwent invasive aesthetic procedures. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was analysed thematically. Data was converged to identify congruencies and discrepancies. Findings: Participants perceived themselves as being less informed about risks and potential complications compared to the benefits of the procedure. However, individuals were overall satisfied with the consent process, suggesting that insufficient risk information did not influence their final decision to undergo the procedure. Furthermore, participants mentioned dissatisfaction with their self-image and low self-esteem as the main factors influencing their decision to undergo an aesthetic procedure, often outweighing concerns about potential risks or complications. Conclusion: The findings suggest that informed consent in invasive aesthetic procedures serves as a useful but not decisive component of decision-making, as choices were also strongly influenced by personal motivations. This highlights the need to improve ethical, patient-centred consent practices that better address risk understanding and underlying patient motivations. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/147110 Title: Resilience in the face of aggression : coping strategies of women with triple negative breast cancer Authors: Scerri, Josianne; Agius, Janice; Galea, Michael Abstract: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype, characterized by poor prognosis, lack of targeted therapies, and significant impact on younger women. Coping with a TNBC diagnosis requires extensive strategies, yet there is a dearth of literature targeting this aspect. This study contributes through an in-depth exploration of the coping strategies of adult women diagnosed with TNBC. Eleven participants aged 26–63 years were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Five themes emerged: reaching out for support; remaining present for family; searching for meaning; regaining control through lifestyle changes and distraction. Coping strategies were identified as multidimensional and synergistic, encompassing social support that provides emotional and informational resources; spirituality that offers existential meaning and resilience; lifestyle modifications that enhance physical and psychological self-regulation; and cognitive strategies, such as information seeking and distraction, that facilitate adjustment to stressors. These results underscore the need for personalized survivorship care that addresses the well-being of TNBC patients, acknowledging the interconnected nature of their coping mechanisms. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/146976 Title: An investigation of radiography education in Spanish speaking countries in Europe and Latin America Abstract: Purpose: To establish the current situation related to radiography education in Spanish speaking countries in Europe and Latin America.; Background: Numerous studies have highlighted the global heterogeneity of radiography education [1-6]. This diversity is seen within specific subject areas such as radiation protection [7], patient safety more broadly[8], simulation, and clinical education. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has further identified challenges and opportunities linked to radiography education which has forced educational institutions around the world to rethink aspects of their curricula, taught and clinical [9-11]. Many articles have been published focusing on local, national, and international data related to these challenges and opportunities; indeed one study focused on Latin America and the impact of the pandemic on both students and on their clinical education [12]. A recently published study explored the vocational structure of radiography education in Spain, along with the perspectives of Spanish radiography educators [13]. In Spain, one of the most surprising data is the increasing number of graduated students rising from n=2,329 in 2001 to a maximum of n=14,526 in 2019, these figures inclusive of medical imaging and radiation therapy graduates [14]. The authors concluded that this number exceeds occupational needs and creates difficulties in managing clinical training. Another notable point made in this study was that it identified the small number of Spanish radiographers included in the teaching staff of training institutions. In Spain, in 1963 a three-month hospital training program formed the first for radiography technicians [15]. Five years later in 1968, in Costa Rica a hospital training program of a year duration was the beginning of the radiography education [16]. In Cuba, primarily empirical training was provided, with the start of the college degree in 1989 [17]. In Bolivia, the college degree commenced in 1980, so several decades ago a degree level Radiography education was provided in Latin America around the same period as in several European countries e.g. Ireland and the United Kingdom. In more recent years across Latin America Radiography education is imparted mainly by Universities on at graduate level, with the majority of education programs (68.4%) having a duration of 4 years or more, while in Spain education is mainly imparted by pre-university vocational training institutions on a technical level and it has not progressed to university level education [18]. This survey set out to determine the current status of Radiography education in Spanish speaking countries and this poster provides an overview of several matters associated with Radiography education. 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/146973 Title: Pushing the limits of CT localiser dose reduction. How low can we go? Abstract: Purpose: Optimising radiation dose in CT begins before image acquisition, with the often-overlooked localiser scan. Localisers are performed for CT examinations, resulting in a small but important contribution to cumulative patient radiation dose, while also influencing scan range selection and automated exposure parameters. This study evaluates the use of tin (Sn) filtration to reduce radiation dose in CT scan localisers of the brain; kidney, ureter and bladder (KUB); and low-dose thoracic CT. Tin filtration functions as spectral beam shaping by selectively removing low-energy photons from the X-ray spectrum. These low-energy photons contribute disproportionately to patient dose while offering limited benefit to image formation due to their higher likelihood of being absorbed superficially rather than reaching the detector. By hardening the beam and increasing its mean photon energy, Sn filtration improves dose efficiency and reduces unnecessary radiation exposure without compromising the anatomical information required for scan planning. Given that localiser images are primarily used for positioning and protocol planning rather than diagnostic interpretation, the application of Sn filtration represents a rational optimisation strategy aligned with radiation protection principles such as ALARA. 2026-03-01T00:00:00Z