Tel: 23401830 Fax: 23401211; E-mail: healthsciences@um.edu.mt; Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences
FHS Monthly Newsletter: February 2012
REARCH, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Dr Helen Grech, Communication Therapy Department: Multilingual speech and
language development and disorders
Dr Helen Grech has contributed a chapter together with Sharynne McLeod (Australia) on
Multilingual speech and language development and disorders in a recently published peer
reviewed book edited by Professor Dolores Battle (US). This is a classical textbook entitled
Communication Disorders in Multicultural Populations published by Elsevier. Previous
editions of this book have had worldwide readership.
The book is of interest to speech language pathologists, psycholinguists, researchers, students
and other professionals interested in developmental and acquired communication difficulties.
PAST EVENTS
Presentation to Junior College` Students in January 2012
In January 2012, a number of academic staff from various departments gave a presentation to
Junior College students, Msida. These were:-
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Ms Karen Borg Grima, Assistant Lecturer, Radiography Department
Ms Andee Agius, Assistant Lecturers, Midwifery Department
Dr Victoria Sultana, Lecturer, Nursing Department
Ms Joanne Bellia, Assistant Lecturer, Occupational Therapy Department
Dr Helen Grech, Senior Lecturer, Communication Therapy Department.
Mr Stephen Mizzi, Assistant Lecturer, Podiatry Department
Dr Anna McElhatton, Head, Food Studies and Environmental Health
Ms Joanna Depares, Assistant Lecturer, Nursing Department
We thank all academic staff for their collaboration.
E-mail received from Ms Pauline Bartolo (25/01/12), Counsellor, Junior College
I would like to thank you once again for your very kind collaboration in bringing together speakers from
the various FHS Departments. They were very interesting talks indeed. Warm regards - Pauline Bartolo
St Aloysius College Higher Education Orientation Day
Dr Daniela Gatt, Communication Therapy Department, gave a presentation on FHS to
participants who attend a Higher Education Orientation Day to a number of participants which
was held on the 24 January, 2012 at the University Chaplaincy and Dar Manuel Magri.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Forthcoming Research Seminars 2012 – Time table
Date
Presenter
Study
Department/Unit
7th Mar 2012
Mr John Xerri de Caro
21st Mar 2012
Ms Josephine Attard
28th March 2012
Dr Carmel Caruana
Medical Physics Unit
18th Apr 2012
Dr Sandra Buttigieg
2nd May 2012
Ms Claire Sillato
Copperstone
PhD
In Progress
16th May 2012
Mr Martin Ward
30th May 2012
Ms Rachael Xuereb
PhD
In Progress
PhD (in Progress
Health Services
Management
Food Studies and
Environmental
Health
Mental Health
Nursing
Communication
Therapy
PhD
In Progress
PhD
In Progress
Venue: Board Room between 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m.
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Physiotherapy
Midwifery
We wish to thank Dr Michael Galea for his excellent presentation during February 2012.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FHS Financial Budget Projections Jan-Dec 2012
The Financial Budget Projection was submitted to University Finance Office in February 2012.
FHS Annual Report Oct 2010 – Sep 2011
The FHS Annual Report for the Academic Year October 2010 and September 2011 has been
finalised.
We thank all Heads of Departments for their contribution.
Suggestion Box at the Faculty
A suggestion box is being placed at the main reception.
Faculty staff and students are encouraged to submit their suggestions and recommendations to
the Faculty`s Head of Administration, Mr Charles Massa.
Alternatively, Mr Massa can be contacted on charles.massa@um.edu.mt or Tel: 2340 1837.
3rd Edition of Learning Expo: 13-16 March, 2012
As in previous year, the
Ministry of Education and
Employment will be organising
the 3rd Edition of Learning
Expo between the 13 and 16
March, 2012. The Expo
welcomes the general public
particularly all 5th formers in
state, church and private
schools will be invited to
attend.
The Expo’s main objectives are
twofold: (a) Inform students of
all the opportunities in Malta of
all courses in Further Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training courses prior to
making their choices; (b) Create an opportunity for all Further Education, Higher Education
and Vocational Training providers to meet potential students.
The Faculty of Health Sciences will have its own a stand at the Expo and a number of
academics from various Departments will be taking part.
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Number of FHS Students: Academic Year 2011/2012
Total no of
students per
course
Department
Course
Applied Biomedical Science
Master of Philosophy in Applied Biomedical Science
Applied Biomedical Science
B.Sc. (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science
Communication Therapy
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences Communication Therapy
1
Communication Therapy
Master of Philosophy in Communication Therapy
1
Communication Therapy
B.Sc. (Hons) Communication Therapy
41
Food Studies and Environmental Health
Preparatory Course for Diploma in Health Science Environmental Health
21
Food Studies and Environmental Health
Diploma in Health Science Environmental Health
Food Studies and Environmental Health
PQD Nutrition & Dietetics
16
Heath Services Management
MSc Health Service Management
15
Midwifery
B.Sc. (Hons) Community Midwifery
Midwifery
B.Sc. (Hons) Midwifery
Midwifery
MSc Midwifery
Nursing
Certificate in Clinical Nursing Practice (Adult Cancer Care)
Nursing
Certificate in Clinical Nursing Practice (Critical Care Nursing)
14
Nursing
Certificate in Clinical Nursing Practice (Community Nursing)
6
Nursing
B.Sc. (Hons) Community Nursing
21
Nursing
Certificate in Clinical Nursing Practice (Elderly Care)
11
Nursing
Certificate in Clinical Nursing Practice (Emergency Nursing)
12
Nursing
B.Sc. (Hons) Health Science
Nursing
B.Sc. (Hons) Mental Health Nursing
Nursing
MSc Nursing Mental Health
Nursing
Preparatory Course for Diploma in Health Science Nursing Studies
Nursing
Master of Philosophy in Nursing
Nursing
Diploma in Health Science Nursing Studies
107
Nursing
B.Sc. (Hons) Nursing
182
Nursing
MSc Nursing
Nursing
Certificate in Clinical Nursing Practice (Paediatric Nursing)
5
Nursing
Certificate in Clinical Nursing Practice (Rehabilitation Care)
6
Nursing
Certificate in Clinical Nursing Practice (Theatre Nursing)
1
Occupational Therapy
B.Sc. (Hons) Occupational Therapy
43
Physiotherapy
B.Sc. (Hons) Physiotherapy
83
Podiatry
B.Sc. (Hons) Podiatry
34
Radiography
Master of Science in Radiography (Computerised Tomography)
6
Radiography
Master of Science in Radiography (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
4
Radiography
Master of Philosophy in Radiography
1
Radiography
B.Sc. (Hons) Radiography
Radiography
Master of Science in Radiography (Radionuclide Imaging)
Total per
Department
2
101
103
43
5
42
15
2
50
2
54
8
132
43
8
244
2
11
813
43
83
34
45
6
62
1,292 1,292
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Ms Connie Falzon, Department of Radiography, M Sc. Medical Imaging
Ms Connie Falzon has successfully completed her studies and was awarded an M Sc in Medical
Imaging (Mammography) from Kingston University, UK. Here is an abstract of her
dissertation: An Investigation into the Psychological Anxiety of Maltese Women before
and after a Mammogram
Mammography is the standard procedure that is used in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Despite
its beneficial effects, it has also been associated with psychological distress in women attending
for a mammogram. Maltese women are very conscious of breast cancer and almost everyone
knows someone who was diagnosed with the disease. Consequently a vast number of women
are referred for a mammogram for reassurance. Whether these women are anxious or not is not
known. This unknown factor motivated the author to undertake the study to ascertain whether
or not Maltese women were psychologically anxious when they attend for a mammogram.
The study involved the participation of 150 Maltese women aged 35 years and over who
attended for a mammogram at the main NHS hospital on the Islands. The women were equally
divided into two groups. Each individual group consisted of 75 women either without family
history or with a family history of breast cancer. Anxiety levels immediately before and
immediately after the mammogram were measured using the State and Trait Inventory for
Adults developed by C.D. Spielberger. A quantitative cross-sectional non-experimental design
was used to analyse the State (S-anxiety) anxiety of the women.
From the statistical analysis it resulted that Maltese women in both groups were significantly
more anxious before than after the procedure. A positive correlation existed between their pre
and post mean S-anxiety levels. When the two groups were compared between each other it
resulted in no significant difference between their mean S-anxiety levels. A negative
relationship existed between the women’s age and their S-anxiety levels.
From the results obtained the researcher concluded that Maltese women were anxious because
of the procedure, irrespective of whether they had a family history or not. There was no
difference in the anxiety levels of the two groups when compared to each other. It was also
concluded that if the women were anxious before the procedure they remained anxious after the
procedure. From the correlation analysis it transpired that the younger the women were, the
more anxious they felt.
Deputy Dean Re-Appointment
Dr Helen Grech, Head of Department of Communication Therapy, has been re-appointed
Deputy Dean of FHS up to 30 September 2012.
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MHSA New Executive Committee Jan-Dec 2012
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Medical Physics Unit set up at the Faculty of Health Sciences
At its meeting of the 19 January 2012, the Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences
recommended to Senate the setting up of a Medical Physics Unit within the faculty. This was
subsequently approved by Senate at its meeting of the 26 January 2012.
The Medical Physics Profession
Medical Physicists are experts in the technical aspects of the clinical use of medical devices
and protection from associated physical agents (the legal term encompassing ionizing and nonionizing radiation, static electric and magnetic fields, ultrasound, lasers etc). In the case of
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine the
presence of Medical Physicists at Expert level is required by European Directive
97/43/Euratom. In the UK Medical Physics forms part of the Clinical Scientist stream of the
Health Professionals Council.
The Profile of the Medical Physicist
The Medical Physicist is a healthcare professional with a strong mathematical and physical
science background. In February 2009 the European Federation of Organizations for Medical
Physics published the following recommended qualification framework for beginning Medical
Physicists: (a) A strong undergraduate degree in physics and mathematics (or engineering); (b)
A Masters in Medical Physics and (c) Two full-time year equivalents clinical experience.
Local Needs for Medical Physicists
There is a dire shortage of human resources to address the following societal requirements:
Hospital Service Development: EU Directive 97/43/Euratom stipulates that Medical Physics
Experts are to be involved when ionising radiation is used for diagnosis and therapy. Locally
we seriously lack human resources in Medical Physics and our facilities therefore contravene
the aforementioned Directive. The expansion in diagnostic and interventional facilities at Mater
Dei Hospital (mammography screening, new oncology centre, PET) will further exacerbate the
situation. Attracting people from abroad has not worked whilst many students who were sent
for studies abroad did not return as there is a shortage of Medical Physicists all over the EU.
The situation is very similar to the case of medical specialists - who are now being trained in
Malta. The European Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics has repeatedly called for
more educational programmes leading to Masters in Medical Physics to be set up in Europe.
Malta is at present the ONLY country in Europe without a programme for the education and
training of Medical Physicists. As a result of this, the Ministry for Health, the Elderly and
Community Care (MHEC) has applied pressure on the University to set up a Masters in
Medical Physics programme. The Faculty of Health Sciences and the Department of Physics
are now collaborating with MHEC to establish such a programme. The target date of
commencement is October 2012.
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Life Science Centre (LSC): The new LSC being set up with EU funds will require medical
physics expertise (e.g., a cyclotron is already planned). The lack of human resources will be a
key threat which a Medical Physics Unit would address.
High Technology Industry: The medical device industry can be a niche industry for Malta
(Vision 2015, Equipment Design and Manufacturing). However this cannot take off as there
are simply no Medical Physics graduates who could carry out the required R&D and
subsequent clinical trials. Both the Department of Physics, through the new Electromagnetics
Laboratory, and the Faculty of Engineering, through the new Biomedical Engineering
Laboratory, have active research interests and capabilities in the design and development of
medical devices for diagnostics, treatment and patient support. The Medical Physics Unit
would serve as the focal point to inspire and assist these efforts and see them through to the
clinical trial phase.
Initial composition of the new unit
The unit will start with Dr Carmel J. Caruana as Co-ordinator and Ms Dorothy Aquilina who is
a Clinical Medical Physicist specialising in Radiation Oncology and who has recently joined
our faculty. Dr Caruana has been teaching Medical Physics to health care professionals at FHS
since its inception, over 20 years ago. Dr Caruana is current Chairperson of the Education and
Training Committee of the European Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics
(www.efomp.org). Although the unit resides within the Faculty of Health Sciences, it will have
strong and on-going ties with the Department of Physics of the Faculty of Sciences which has
been a prime motivator in the development of the Masters in Medical Physics. The Department
of Systems and Control Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering and the Centre for Medical
Cybernetics have also collaborated in the development of the Masters.
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