Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences; E-mail: healthsciences@um.edu.mt
; Tel: 23401830
RESARCH, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Dr Carmel Caruana, Medical Physics Unit, FHS
Curriculum for education and training of Medical Physicists in Nuclear Medicine:
Recommendations from the EANM Physics Committee, the EANM Dosimetry Committee and
EFOMP. Del Guerra A, Bardies M, Belcari N, Caruana CJ, Christofides S, Erba P, Gori C,
Lassmann M, Lonsdale MN, Sattler B, Waddington W.
Abstract:
•
PURPOSE: To provide a guideline curriculum covering theoretical and practical aspects of education and training for Medical Physicists in Nuclear Medicine within
Europe.
•
MATERIAL AND METHODS: National training programmes of Medical Physics,
Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine physics from a range of European countries and from North America were reviewed and elements of best practice identified. An independent panel of experts was used to achieve consensus regarding the content of the curriculum.
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•
RESULTS: Guidelines have been developed for the specialist theoretical knowledge and practical experience required to practice as a Medical Physicist in Nuclear
Medicine in Europe. It is assumed that the precondition for the beginning of the training is a good initial degree in Medical Physics at master level (or equivalent). The
Learning Outcomes are categorised using the Knowledge, Skill and Competence approach along the lines recommended by the European Qualifications Framework.
The minimum level expected in each topic in the theoretical knowledge and practical experience sections is intended to bring trainees up to the requirements expected of a
Medical Physicist entering the field of Nuclear Medicine.
•
CONCLUSIONS: This new joint EANM/EFOMP European guideline curriculum is a further step to harmonise specialist training of Medical Physicists in Nuclear Medicine within Europe. It provides a common framework for national Medical Physics societies to develop or benchmark their own curricula. The responsibility for the implementation and accreditation of these standards and guidelines resides within national training and regulatory bodies.
Diabetic foot complications in Malta: Prevalence of risk factors,
Department of Podiatry, FHS
Cynthia Formosa and Alfred Gatt (FHS) and Nachiappan Chockalingamb, Staffordshire University, UK
•
Aims: The main objective of this research was to identify the prevalence of diabetesrelated lower-extremity complications in a cohort of Maltese patients living with type 2 diabetes.
•
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 243 patients living with type 2 diabetes mellitus in two Maltese Health Centre catchment areas. A convenience sampling was adopted to recruit subjects from a local pilot diabetes foot screening program. The clinical assessments used during this screening program were based on validated and previously published tools such as: neuropathy disabil-ity score, vibration perception threshold, Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments, vascular status and foot deformities were evaluated.
•
Results: The results from this study demonstrate that risk factors for foot deterioration and ulceration are common in Maltese population living with type 2 diabetes. Whilst, metabolic outcomes such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia were present in most subjects, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral sensory neuropathy and foot deformities were also common. Twenty-six per cent of the sample had to be referred for further vascular assessment following this screening program due to their critical vascular status.
•
Conclusions/interpretation: A significant proportion of Maltese participants living with type 2 diabetes presented with vascular insufficiency, abnormal neural function and deformities in the feet. Metabolic outcomes such as high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol were also highly prevalent. Strength-ening of existing screening structures is imperative in order to reduce the burden of this disease in Malta.
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Ms Pauline Aquilina, Department of Nursing attended the 7th EDEN Research
Conference and Workshop entitled "Learners in the Driving Seat" Users? - Partners? -
Consumers? Peers? Where are we heading to? held between the 22-23 October 2012 in
Leuven, Belgium
Pauline presented a poster entitled TEACHING AND LEARNING ON AN
INSTITUTIONAL VLE. The participants discussed the poster to the Secretary General of the
EDEN organisation, the other participants and any other delegates interested in the posters.
The following abstract was published in the 7 th
EDEN Research Workshop Book of Abstracts
& Workshop Programme which will be available online.
Abstract: This conference paper is based on the data analysis of a qualitative case study research conducted at the specific context of the University of Malta. Data was obtained by interviewing academics and strategic managers of the institution. To differentiate between the two groups, Educator (E) was used to refer to academics whose workload was more weighted towards teaching than administration. The word Manager (M) was used to refer to central managers who still taught but had a heavy administration commitment. Managers were selectively chosen while academics were randomly chosen from across all the departments of all the faculties, who had activated their respective study unit MOODLE® site. Data analysis indicates that academics need pedagogical as well as technical skills to navigate the institutional Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), irrespective of their qualifications. The
University of Malta, like its many international counterparts, has implemented a VLE to complement or supplant traditional teaching. ELearning was evident in use by all the academics (including the managers) for both purposes but differentiation between the two subgroups was not evident and different terminologies used to describe this teaching and learning method, with blended and supplementary learning used interchangeably. Some educators, especially and noticeably those who had done an eLearning course, utilised time and energy in moderating Computer Mediated Conferencing (CMC). Irrespective of whether technology was used or not; all academics appeared committed towards the student’s academic growth. The three teaching perspectives of developmental, transmission and nurturing emerged as key teaching methods, which could be applied through VLE usage.
This was reflected as well in the various teaching strategies applied by the educators’ application of the VLE which was used to construct tools for learning, connectivity, evaluation, peer learning, encouraging students’ Self Directed Learning (SDL), screening of e-resources as well as the upload of notes. Moreover, the data indicated that VLE could be implemented for various teaching and learning activities for both theoretical and practical aspects of learning; such as fieldwork, lectures, projects, dissertations, case study approach, seminars and tutorials. Independent study and online learning and students’ performance was indicative as
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being the most quoted by academics. Although group learning, as achieved through CMC, emerged as a method of learning on the VLE, it wasn’t as strong as independent learning, possibly due to students’ acculturation about learning.
The academics that moderated CMC found it onerous since students seem to achieve, and approach, tertiary education with minimal effort not von Humboldt preparation, of validating knowledge by research practices. Student groups varied in their contributions in CMC both between undergraduate and postgraduate groups, as well as among the groups themselves.
There is the need for more research in how the possibilities of technology can foster group learning and Humboldtian practices, how this can be facilitated for both the teachers and the students. Teaching and learning complement each other and one affects the other, so taking one out of the equation can lead to disequilibrium. Further research is required to identify how
CMC can be successfully implemented to achieve equilibrium for both parties involved, the teachers and the students. This includes aspects of group task setting, with CMC being similar to Problem Based learning as well as the assessment strategy. These are the new research
objectives of this researcher to study more in depth what VLE teaching and learning involves.
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NEW RECRUITS
New staff joining the Department of Food Studies and Environmental Health
Ms Daniela Abela graduated in Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biology and Chemistry at the
University of Malta. Her final year research involved stability studies of two pharmaceutical products which she carried out at the pharmaceutical company Watson Arrowpharm. After that,
Daniela worked in this same company as a laboratory analyst for a year and a half, after which, she returned back to University to follow a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. Currently, she is lecturing a variety of science-related subjects at MCAST. This year, Daniela Abela will continue her post-graduate studies by reading for a Master of Science by Research (P/T) involving the development of novel disinfection technologies for fresh produce with the
Department of Food Studies and Environmental Health at the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Daniela was recently awarded a MGSS scholarship for her MSc studies and she was ranked 5th out of a total number of 81of candidates.
Mr David Millan graduated at the University of Zaragoza (Spain) with a BSc degree in Food Science. Hereafter, he awarded his Master degree in Food Product and Process at the Politechnical University of Valencia (Spain). His Master dissertation focused on edible coating biopolymers and propolis to extend pork meat shelf-life.
The last two years David Millan has been working at the Institute of Food Research (IFR,
Norwich, UK) within the Sustainable of Food Chain group. His activities were on bio-fuel production from lignocellulose wastes. David is currently the research officer of the EU-Marie
Curie project DiTec at the Department of Food Studies and Environmental Health at the
Faculty of Health Sciences. He is in the process of preparing his PhD application.
PAST EVENTS
Study Visit in USA, by Dr Donia Baldacchino, Department of Nursing, FHS,
August 2012.
Following the award of the Adjunct Faculty Member at Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
USA, Dr Donia Baldacchino was invited to co-teach with the Coordinator, Professor Marie
Nolan on the International Health Systems and Research module(NR.110.834) at Johns
Hopkins University, Maryland, USA (13th-17th August 2012). This course involved the guided study of how cultural, political, and economic factors influence the health care and nursing needs of a country or a region. Various research studies with different cultures were presented followed by critical analysis of the research process with emphasis on ethical principles that guided the respective research in various countries such as, Malta, Sweden, Brazil, South
Africa.
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Dr Donia Baldacchino with the PhD students and the Coordinator Professor Marie Nolan (2 nd
from the right) at the School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, USA. (13 th
-17 th
August 2012)
In preparation for the introduction of Parish Nursing course by the Pastoral Formation Institue in Malta, Dr Donia Baldacchino joined a group of 21 nurses from the USA to undertake the
Faith Community Nursing course programme at the Tuality Health Education Centre,
Northwest Parish Nurse Ministries, Hillsboro, Oregon, USA (22nd-25th August 2012). Faith
Community Nursing incorporates holistic care to vulnerable persons in the community including the spiritual dimension in care and health promotion. Parish nursing is well established in the USA and the UK and is usually on voluntary basis with the respective Faith
Community Church.
Dr Donia Baldacchino with the parish nurses and health ministers undertaking the course programme at the Tuality Health Education Centre, Hillsboro, Oregon, USA. (22nd - 25th
August 2012)
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The Parish Nursing course programme (8ECTS) in Malta is run by the Pastoral Formation
Institute and coordinated by Dr Donia Baldacchino. The course was opened by Mr Jesmond
Sharples, the Nursing Director on the 3rd October 2012.
A Discussion Seminar on Food, Diets & Environment by the Department of Food Studies and Environmental Health
On the 25 th
September 2012, The Cleaner Technology Centre, in collaboration with the Department of Food Studies & Environmental Health of the
Faculty of Health Sciences, organised a discussion seminar entitled "Food,
Diets and Environment". The Seminar, held at the Aula Magna of the Valletta
Campus of the University of Malta, was well attended by academics, students, government officials and members of the public.
Key note presentations were delivered by academics from the Italian Universities of Chieti and Modena, The Environment Protection Directorate of MEPA, The
Health Promotion Directorate and other experts in the field; which were followed by free discussion. Topics addressed ranged from the “Health Benefits of
the Mediterranean Diet”, “Sweets in the time of the Knights of St John”, “Heart
disease and associated Health promotion issues”, “The Psychology of Anorexia & Bulimia” to
“Current & past uses of Plants in the Maltese cuisine and their links to traditional diet”.
The participation of Professors De Cristofaro, Battistini and Pezzotti from Modena and Chieti was facilitated by the Italian Cultural Institute in Malta. Invitations to the local speakers were extended by the Cleaner Technology centre and The Department of Food Studies and
Environmental Health respectively.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dr V.P. Valdramidis, Department of Food Studies and Environmental Health
(a) Participation in Examination Board
Dr V.P. Valdramidis was member of the examination board of the preliminary PhD defence of
Iris Cornet at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Science,
Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.
The Thesis is entitled: 'QUANTIFICATION OF THE HETEROGENEOUS HEAT
STRESS RESPONSE OF E. COLI '.
(b) Editorial Activity
Dr V.P. Valdramidis is also co-editor of the new special issue of Food Control entitled
Predictive Modelling of Food Quality and Safety.Predictive Modelling of Food Quality and
Safety Special Issue Food Control, Volume 29, Issue 2, February 2013, Page 289 Vasilis P.
Valdramidis, Enda Cummins, Jesús María Frías Celayeta
Christmas Activities at FHS
Christmas Staff Lunch:
Wednesday, 19 th
December,
2012 at the Terrace Restaurant,
Westin Dragonara, St. Julians
@ 12.30pm (Menu attached).
Contact Person: Ms Doris
Briffa: Tel: 23401114; doris.briffa@um.edu.mt
.
Christmas Staff Party:
Friday, 21st December, 2012
@ 12.30pm in the Staff Room.
Contact Person: Ms Marika
Spagnol : Tel: 23401151 ; marika.spagnol@um.edu.mt
.
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Departmental Secretaries at FHS
1.
A PPLIED B IOMEDICAL S CIENCE M S C HRISTABEL V ELLA
christabel.vella@um.edu.mt 23401575
2.
COMMUNICATION
T
HERAPY
M
S
R
AMONA
C
USCHIERI ramona.cuschieri@um.edu.mt 23401204
3.
FOOD STUDIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH M S C HRISTABEL V ELLA christabel.vella@um.edu.mt
23401575
4.
HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT
M
S
B
ERTHA
D
ARMANIN bertha.darmanin@um.edu.mt
5.
M
IDWIFERY
M
S
J
ESSICA
B
USUTTIL
jessica.busuttil@um.edu.mt
23401576
23401851
6.
NURSING M S M ONICA F ORMOSA monica.formosa@um.edu.mt
7.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
M
R
N
OEL
V
ASSALLO noel.vassallo@um.edu.mt
8.
PHYSIOTHERAPY M S J ESSICA B USUTTIL jessica.busuttil@um.edu.mt
9.
PODIATRY
M
S
J
OANNE
X
UEREB joanne.xuereb@um.edu.mt
10.
RADIOGRAPHY - M R N OEL V ASSALLO noel.vassallo@um.edu.mt
11.
MEDICAL P HYSICS MS DORIS BRIFFA doris.briffa@um.edu.mt
23401571
23401907
23401851
23401835
23401907
23401114
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