Tel: 23401830 Fax: 23401211; E-mail: healthsciences@um.edu.mt; Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences
FHS Monthly Newsletter: April 2012
RESEARCH, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Dr Joseph Agius, Keynote Speaker, 3rd European Symposium on Fluency Disorders
Dr. Joseph Agius, lecturer, Communication Therapy Department, was invited
keynote speaker at the 3rd European Symposium on Fluency Disorders held in
Antwerp, March 10-12, 2012. The biennial European Symposium on Fluency
Disorders is an initiative of the ECSF-consortium and focuses on causal and
contributing factors as well as on intervention related topics. Dr Agius’
address focused on dealing with the attitudes and shifting perceptions of
people who stutter. Preliminary data on the emotional response of people who
stutter towards teasing and ridicule was also presented.
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists also invited Dr Agius as guest scholar
to present a Study Day on ‘Clinical Application of Creativity in Fluency Intervention’ on 13th
June, 2012 in London. Dr. Agius’ clinical and academic career has centered on specialization in
the field of fluency disorders, creativity and humour research. As partner expert nominated by
the University of Malta, Dr. Agius collaborates with experts from twelve European Universities
on the development and delivery of the ‘European Clinical Specialization Course in Fluency
Disorders’.
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Three Publications by Mr Frank Zarb, Radiography Department.
•
Zarb, F., Rainford, L. and McEntee, M. (2011). Frequency of CT examinations in
Malta. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Science 42: 4-9.
The purpose of this survey was to provide details and frequency data on CT examinations in
Malta,
and
identify
commonly
requested
CT
examinations. CT comprised 8.85% of the total ionizing radiation examinations. CT of the head
is
the
most
frequently
requested
examination at 43%. The abdomen and pelvis in Malta (33%) is much more frequently
requested
than
in
other
countries
(12%-22%),
whereas
the
thorax
is
similar to other countries (9%). A comparison with European and worldwide examination
distributions has demonstrated discrepancies in certain CT examinations indicating
areas for dose reduction.
•
Zarb, F., Rainford, L. and McEntee, M. (2011). Developing optimised CT scan
protocols: Phantom measurements of image quality. Radiography 17: 109-114.
The increasing frequency of CT examinations is well documented, leading to concern about
potential radiation risks for patients. Dose indicators displayed on the CT console as either
volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and/or dose length product (DLP), are used to indicate dose
and can quantify improvements achieved through optimization. The aim of this study was to
optimize the scan parameters of mA; kV and pitch, whilst maintaining image quality and
reducing dose. This research was conducted using psychophysical image quality measurements
on a CT quality assurance (QA) phantom establishing the impact of dose optimization on image
quality parameters. Optimization was effected through the establishment of the limits at which
image quality is detrimentally reduced by dose reduction. This work established the mA, kV
and pitch changes necessary to achieve the optimization thresholds, reducing the dose and the
limit at which psychophysical image quality is significantly decreased.
•
Zarb, F., Rainford, L. and McEntee, M. (2011). Maltese CT doses for commonly
performed examinations demonstrate alignment with published DRLs across Europe.
Radiation Protection Dosimetry; October: 1-9.
This work recommends diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for abdomen, chest and head CT
examinations in Malta as the first step towards national CT dose optimisation. Third quartiles
volume CT dose index values for abdomen: 12.1 mGy, chest: 13.1 mGy and head: 41 mGy and
third quartile dose-length product values for abdomen: 539.4, chest: 492 and head: 736 mGy
cm–1 are recommended as Maltese DRLs derived from this first Maltese CT dose survey.
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These values compare well with DRLs of other European countries indicating that CT scanning
in Malta is consistent with standards of good practice.
Frank is a PhD research student from the Diagnostic Imaging Section of the UCD School of
Medicine and Medical Science, Dublin and will be submitting his dissertation later on this year.
Research Award – Physiotherapy Department
Following the proposal entitled `Gait Analysis for Patient suffering from Scoliosis` submitted
by Dr Mark Sacco, Head, Physiotherapy Department, the department was selected for funding
under the Salvatore Maugeri Research Award.
PAST EVENTS
Mentoring in Nursing in Europe, Pori, Finland – February 2012
Middlesex University in collaboration with Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Finland,
the University of Malta and the University of Florence organised the 3rd and final Mentoring in
Nursing in Europe (MINE) Erasmus funded Intensive Programme (IP). The first IP was
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organised in London in February 2010. In 2010-2011 the University of Pardubice from the
Czech Republic joined the IP, which was organised in February 2011 by the Faculty of Health
Sciences at the University of Malta. The last IP hosted by Satakunta University of Applied
Sciences in Pori Finland, this year was joined by University Collage Lillebaelt, Denmark.
The Maltese delegation was led by Mr Carmelo Bezzina and included two mentors and five
students from the Department of Nursing. Both students and mentors registered with the
University of Middlesex for 10 ECTS credits entitled ‘European Dimensions of Practice
Mentorship’ as part of their undergraduate degree.
The Intensive Programme this year aimed to promote and facilitate the movement of prequalifying undergraduate nursing students by identifying and addressing the challenges posed
for students, mentors and nurse academics. Students and mentors participated in group work
looking at the different countries nursing curricula, Professional Body requirements for the
education, preparation for registration of nurses and the regulation of nursing practice and
standards of care in the partner European countries. At the end of the two week programme a
wiki website was developed and can be accessed from:
http://minestudentandmentortoolkits.middlesex.wikispaces.net
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Forthcoming Research Seminars 2012 – Time table
Date
Presenter
Study
Department/Unit
2nd May 2012
Ms Claire Sillato
Copperstone
PhD
In Progress
Food Studies and
Environmental Health
16th May 2012
Mr Martin Ward
Mental Health Nursing
30th May 2012
Ms Rachael Xuereb
PhD
In Progress
PhD
In Progress
Communication Therapy
Venue: Staff room between 13.30 and 14.30 hours.
We wish to thank Dr Carmel Caruana for his excellent presentation during March 2012.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Students to Accompany Rector to China July 2012
Ms Alison Zammit, BSc (Hons) Radiography October 2010 intake has been chosen to represent
the FHS to accompany the Rector to China between the 8 and 14 July, 2012.
Ms Gabriella Debattista BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy October 2009 intake has been
placed on the reserve list.
New E-mail address for FHS Reception Staff
Reception at FHS now has an email address: reception.healthsci@um.edu.mt
Masters by Research Committee FHS
The committee is composed of the following members: Professor Angela Xuereb, Chairperson,
Dr Cynthia Formosa, Dr Daniela Gatt and Dr Stephen Lungaro Mifsud.
Pasta Lunch during Easter Recess
A very successful Pasta Lunch was held at FHS during the Easter recess where a good number
of the administrative and academic staff, including the Dean and the Deputy Dean, attended.
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Special thanks goes to Beadle (CHEF!!!) Raymond Degiorgio who was responsible for the
cooking and preparation.
Well done Raymond!
Administrative Services at FHS
•
ACCESS CARDS, OFFICE KEYS & PARKING PERMITS
Mr Charles Massa, E-mail: charles.massa@um.edu.mt; Tel: 23401837
•
HOUSE M ANAGEMENT, TRANSPORT & STIPENDS
Mr Edward Francalanza, E-mail: edwardfrancalanza@yahoo.co.uk; Tel: 23401857
•
ACCOUNTS & PROCUREMENT
Mr Patrick Chircop, E-mail: patrick.chircop@um.edu.mt; Tel: 23401572
•
LABORATORIES
Mr Joe Mark Gatt, E-mail: joseph.gatt@um.edu.mt, Tel: 23401856
•
BOARD ROOM BOOKINGS AND OVERTIME SHEET PROCESSING
Ms Moira Spiteri, E-mail: moira.spiteri@um.edu.mt; Tel: 23401908
•
SEMINAR/L ECTURE ROOMS BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES
Ms Joanne Xuereb, E-mail : joanne.xuereb@um.edu.mt; Tel : 23401835
•
IT SERVICES
Mr Nicolai Schembri, E-mail: nicolai.schembri@um.edu.mt; Tel: 23401184
•
AUDIO VISUAL SERVICES
Mr Raymond Vella, E-mail: raymond.vella@um.edu.mt; Tel: 23401227/99092188
•
NURSING LABS
Ms Caroline Borda, E-mail: carol_borda@yahoo.com; Tel : 23401857/23401194
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