Tel: 23401830 Fax: 23401211; E-mail: healthsciences@um.edu.mt; Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences
FHS Monthly Newsletter: August - September 2012
RESARCH, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Publication by Dr Donia Baldacchino, Department of Nursing: An
assessment of undergraduate student nurses’ personality traits:
Significance to the nursing profession, Dr Donia Baldacchino & Dr Paul
Galea
Abstract: Individuals’ attitudes stem in part from their personality traits which in turn may
influence their interpersonal relationships in patient care. Although personality traits are
partially genetically determined, research proposes other factors which may influence this
profile such as, self-esteem, family, social and clinical environments and education. Assessment
of students’ personality on entry of the course programme could assess the individual’s
aptitude to the nursing profession. Eventually, the necessary strategies could be adopted to
enhance students’ knowledge, skills and attitudes to deliver nursing care professionally and to
enhance retention of students on the course programme. This cross-sectional descriptive study
assessed the personality traits of two cohorts of nursing/midwifery students (N=116, aged 1944yrs, M=21.5, SD=10.9) in their third year of the Diploma/BSc(Hons) programme at the
University of Malta. Data were collected by the NEO Five- Factor Inventory (Costa & McCrae
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1992c) in 2006. These scored low on Neurocitism(N), average on Openness(O), high on
Agreeableness(A) and higher on Extraversion(E) and Conscientiousness(C). Irrespective of
nursing/midwifery programmes, age and gender, similar mean scores resulted in all the five
personality domains. These findings are consistent with other studies with some exceptions
related to significant differences in gender & religiosity. Further larger scale longitudinal
research is suggested on nursing/midwifery and other health care students in order to exhibit a
possible profile pattern across time and other influencing factors.
Publication by Dr Alfred Gatt, Department of Podiatry
Dr Alfred Gatt had an article entitled “The effect of uncontrolled moment and short-term,
repeated passive stretching on maximum ankle joint dorsiflexion angle`, published in The Foot.
Abstract:
•
Background: Trials investigating ankle joint measurement normally apply a known moment.
Maximum ankle angle is affected by foot posture and stretching characteristics of the calf muscles.
•
Objectives: To investigate whether consistent maximum ankle angles could be achieved without
applying a constant moment to all subjects, and whether short, repetitive stretching of the calf
Muscle Tendon Unit would produce a difference in the maximum ankle angle.
•
Method: Passive dorsiflexion in 14 healthy participants was captured using an optoelectronic
motion analysis system, with the foot placed in 3 postures.
•
Results: The Maximum Ankle Angles for both the neutral and supinated positions did not differ
significantly. In general, the majority of subjects (92.8%) showed no increase in the Maximum Ankle
Dorsiflexion Angle following repetitive brief passive stretching. Only one subject exhibited a
significant increase in maximum ankle angle at the Neutral Position.
•
Conclusion: Since the range of motion of the ankle joint is clearly determined by other physical
factors, the Maximum Ankle Dorsiflexion Angle can be assessed at both neutral and supinated
positions without moment being controlled.
PAST EVENTS
Applied Biomedical Science Department – Visit by Dr Mark McAuley
The Department of Applied Biomedical Science hosted Dr Mark McAuley, a Lecturer and
Researcher from the Health Sciences Department at Liverpool Hope University.
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Dr McAuley gave a series of lectures and practical training on Bioinformatics and
Computational Modelling. These included practical examples of Deterministic and Stochastic
modelling and use of Copasi to build models of biological systems.
Dr McAuley came on an Erasmus programme.
Presentation by Dr Michael Galea, MTh (Lond.), MSc., PhD (Loyola),
Lecturer, Department of Nursing, at the International Stress and Anxiety
Research Society Annual Conference, held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain,
July 2012.
Spirituality & Burnout among Gozitan Nursing Profession: An Incremental Validity Study
Abstract: Burnout is thought to arise from prolonged disparity between what one gives &
receives especially at work (Maslach & Leiter, 1997). In this population study, the first of its
kind in the Mediterranean island of Gozo, Malta, we targeted all registered nurses working at
the General Hospital. A cross-sectional design was employed. A self-report questionnaire was
adopted, measuring burnout, spirituality, personality, well-being, and demographic
information. The study, after being cleared by the ethics board, was on a voluntary and
confidential basis. Results: high levels of burnout were found, as hypothesized. Job-related
stress negatively correlated with well-being. Furthermore, hierarchical multiple regression
analysis indicated that spirituality showed incremental significance in predicting burnout even
when controlling for personality and well-being. Recommendations and relevance to clinical
practice are noted. Nursing managers should explore ways of reducing job stress and
techniques for building social support networks at the hospital. A holistic approach, including
spiritual coping skills, towards nurses’ well-being is therefore being called for. This will
hopefully protect nurses against undue stress, ascertain better services to patients, and lessen
patients’ relatives concerns and worries.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms Paula Aquilina, Department of Nursing
Ms Paula Aquilina, P.G.Dip.Nurs.&MidwiferyEduc.(Melit.), P.Q.Dip.H.S.M.(Melit.), Assistant
Lecturer, Nursing Department, was awarded an M. Ed. Degree from the University of Hull, UK
for her dissertation: Implementing a VLE in a Higher Education Institution: Issues and
Concerns. Her supervisors were Ms S. Bennett and Dr. T.D. Male.
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Abstract: A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) used for supplementary or entire online
teaching, has seemingly become the norm in tertiary education. This case study research
examined the possible issues through the perspectives of academic and strategic management
staff, regarding an Institutional VLE implementation in the particular context of the only
university in Malta. This University, financed by central government, has autonomous
governance and embraces the von Humboldt ideal. Like other universities globally, it is
increasing in size, not only nationally due to political pressures, but also internationally
through technology, the VLE being a typical example.
Academics were randomly chosen from the list of active VLE users to identify what their aim
was for using the VLE. Strategic managers were purposely chosen due to their clearly defined
roles in the organisation to discover what they expected to be achieved through VLE
implementation. Participants’ perspectives were explored through individual one-hour
interviews using six semi-structured and open questions. Results indicated that there were
similar perspectives, like the ultimate one of students developing self-directed learning skills,
with dissimilarities between the two groups regarding VLE administration. A key finding was
the need for clear set parameters of VLE usage for teaching-administrative purposes within the
organisation. Recommendations included holistic training of all parties involved, academics,
administration and students with the help of the ICT team.
Faculty Annual Report October 2011/September 2012
The Faculty`s Annual Academic and Administrative report is being drawn up and is expected
to be finalised by the end of October 2012.
New Part-time Course: M.Sc. Audiology – Department of Communication Therapy
A new taught part-time course leading to the award of Master of Science in Audiology is being
offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Malta. The course will run over 3
years starting October 2012.
The programme of studies aims to provide candidates with the opportunity to acquire advanced
knowledge in the Audiology field that addresses current literature and evidence based practice.
The course includes a substantial element of clinical practicum. This programme of studies will
lead the awardees to a qualification analogous to that in other European teaching
establishments and to eligibility to practise as an Audiologist (diagnostician in Audiology).
The proposed programme is expected to attract graduates with a relevant degree (human
science or equivalent) who would like to pursue a career in Clinical Audiology.
There is a crucial need within the Department of Health, Malta, for audiological support related
to the assessment and diagnosis of hearing impairment and related disorders. Over recent years,
this need has become more discerning due to increasing awareness and push for early
identification of hearing impairment and consequent re/habilitation.
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New Master of Science in Medical Physics
A new taught Master of Science in Medical Physics is being offered by the Faculty of Health
Sciences of the University of Malta. The full-time day programme will run over 4 semesters
starting October 2012. The course is open to candidates with a physics or engineering
background.
The first two semesters will consist of a taught component of 60-ECTS credits units. The
second year will consist of another taught 30 credits to be delivered entirely online, plus a 30
credit dissertation. The second year may be spent in Malta or abroad. The entire programme
will be taught in English.
The Ministry of Health would be sponsoring 6 candidates to undergo a two year clinical
training period in hospitals in the UK and carry out their dissertation there. The Ministry of
Health has also given indications that candidates sponsored by the Ministry might be paid
during their studies and training.
The coordinator of the Master of Science in Medical Physics Programme, Dr Carmel J.
Caruana, is also the Chairperson for Education and Training of the European Federation of
Organizations for Medical Physics. Over the last three years he has led the development of a
harmonised medical physics curriculum for Medical Physics in Europe. The M.Sc. will be the
first in Europe to be based on this harmonised curriculum.
If you would like to read more about the medical physics profession go to:
European
Federation
of
Organizations
for
Medical
Physics
American Association of Physicists in Medicine Institute of Engineering and Physics in
Medicine (UK) Google and Youtube: medical imaging, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine,
magnetic resonance imaging, medical ultrasound, CT scanner, medical image processing,
medical signal processing.
Petra and John got married!
Ms Petra Cilia, Department of Food Studies and Environmental Health got married to Mr John
Jones on the 7th July, 2012.
All the best Petra and John!
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