OAR@UM Collection:

Advice : value or price?

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Advice : value or price? Abstract: In the March 2006 Moneywise column in The Synapse, I penned an article under the title "What price advice?" The article included a bar chart (reproduced below) headed "Malta 'fior del mondo'? - or 'fuor del mondo'?" This highlighted the percentage change, from their all-time high to the 28th February 2006, in seven of the worlds major stock indices (Dow Jones, Nasdaq, FTSE 100, CAC 40, DAX, Nikkei and the Hang Seng), and the Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) index.

The diversity of occupational therapy services for older persons in Malta

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The diversity of occupational therapy services for older persons in Malta Authors: Laferla, Antoinette Abstract: Occupational Therapy has become part of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, however, a number of professionals still do not understand the work carried out by the therapist especially in a long-term setting. This article highlights the services which are presently being offered by occupational therapists working at St Vincent de Paul Residence. Still, one should also keep in mind that other services are offered by occupational therapists working with older persons who receive acute care at St Luke's Hospital, subacute rehabilitation at Zammit CIapp Hospital, psychiatric care at Mount Carmel Hospital and also in Gozo.

Victor Camilleri : a passion for Good Friday

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Victor Camilleri : a passion for Good Friday Abstract: Victor Camilleri is well known in Zurrieq and its environs as an established family doctor with a busy practice. However, not everybody knows that he is actually a Gozitan hailing from Rabat whose wife brought him to Zurrieq for keeps, and whilst he keenly misses his native island, he does enjoy fishing in locations that allow him a glimpse of its shores, namely Marfa and Cirkewwa.

Imaging oesophageal cancer

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Imaging oesophageal cancer Authors: Vassallo, Pierre Abstract: The 5-year survival rate is only 3% for patients with lymph node involvement, whereas it is 42% for patients who do not have nodal involvement. Approximately 18% of patients will have distant metastases; of these 45% will be to abdominal lymph nodes, 35% to the liver, 20% to the lungs, 18% to supraclavicular nodes, 9% to bone, and 5% to adrenal glands. Consequently, the prognosis is poor, with surgical cure achieved in less than 10% of patients. Surgeons differ in their approach to patients with advanced-stage disea<>e. Palliative therapies include surgery, laser resection, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, and oesophageal stent placement or dilation. Surgery, whether curative or palliative, carries a Significant risk of mortality that ranges from 5% to 20% depending on the surgeon's experience. Therefore, accurate preoperative staging, particularly with regard to depth of wall invasion, mediastinal invasion, nodal involvement, and distant metastases, is vital in determining the most appropriate therapy and in helping avoid inappropriate attempts at curative surgery.