Website: http://www.um.edu.mt/healthsciences; E-mail: healthsciences@um.edu.mt; Tel: 23401830
FHS Monthly Newsletter: October 2013
RESARCH, PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Ms Marjorie Bonnello`s Presentation, September 2013, UK.
Ms. Marjorie Bonello, Assistant Lecturer within the Department of Occupational Therapy, FHS
and a doctoral candidate at the Brighton University, UK, delivered an oral presentation during
the 4th European Conference on Interprofessional Practice and Education held in Ljubljana
between the 11th and 13th September 2013. The theme of the conference was “Quality of Life
in Health and Social Care: An Interprofessional matter”. Marjorie’s presentation which
was entitled “Interprofessional Education in Malta: Seeing the bigger picture” focused on
Marjorie’s current research and emergent findings.
Being a member the European Interprofessional Practice and Education Network, Marjorie also
attended the Members meeting held prior to the start of the conference.
Research Publication by Dr Vasilis Valdramidis, Department of Food Studies and
Environmental Health.
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Title : Estimation of surface temperature and thermal load in short-time heat treatment
of surimi through reflectance spectroscopy and heat transfer modeling
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Authors: Torstein Skåra, Svein Kristian Stormo, Dagbjørn Skipnes, Alain Kondjoyan,
Agnar Sivertsen, Geert Gins, Eva Van Derlinden, Vasilis P. Valdramidis, Jan F.M. Van
Impe
Abstract: Documentation of surface temperature is challenging for short food surface
pasteurization treatments, particularly in steam environments. In this study a spectroscopic
approach is investigated for estimating thermal load while heat transfer modeling is used to
estimate the surface temperature of a model fish product when heated in steam or immersed in
water. Reflectance spectroscopic measurements show that visible spectroscopy (400–550 nm)
has potential for assessing the thermal load of surimi heated in water in the temperature range
between 70 and 95 1C. For treatment times >10 s, robust models (r2P0.9) with acceptable
prediction errors (<3 1C) were achieved. A similar development in the absorption was seen in
steam treated surimi, for short (<10 s) processing times. Heat transfer modeling confirmed the
thermal load indicated by the measurements, and demonstrated the large temperature
gradients that occur with short time, high temperature treatments.
Mr Martin Ward, Mental Health Nursing – Guest Speaker
In August2013, Mr Martin Ward gave a plenary session entitled "Psychodermatolgy: diagnostic
implications" at the South African Dermatology Association congress in Cape Town. Held in
the magnificent Cape Town Convention Centre (see photo) the three-day event was attended by
approximately 400 multi-disciplinary delegates from all around Africa.
Martin's
paper
addressed the second of
the three classifications
of
psychodermatological
conditions,
namely
those
with
no
physiological
symptoms,
only
psychiatric ones. In
discussion
with
dermatologists during
the event it was evident
that the problems they
face with these patients
go far beyond the scope of medicine to deal with effectively. There was general agreement that
delusional infestations and morbid hair removal needed a multi-disciplinary team approach in
which psychiatric nurses using counselling techniques were as helpful to clinical outcomes as
psychopharmacological treatments.
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The role of caregivers in assisting patients with head and neck cancer: MsSusan Mercieca
presented this research project as part of her final year examination for the MSc in
Radiotherapy and Oncology. The degree was carried out following the award of a
Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarship. This scholarship was part-financed by the
European Union - European Social Fund.
Abstract:
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Objectives: Family and friends (caregivers) of cancer patients maybe key in the
provision of care and may also contribute significantly to patient’s adherence to and
acceptance of treatment. For patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in particular,
the treatment and its effects can lead to severe functional impairment and impact on the
psychosocial wellbeing of both patients and caregivers. This study was conducted to
explore the psychosocial impact of caring for people with HNC.
Methodology: Using a phenomenological approach, face to face interviews were
conducted with a purposive sample of 6 caregivers at an Oncology hospital in Malta.
The interviews were transcribed verbatim. Framework analysis was then used to
interpret the qualitative data.
Key results: From this study it emerged that there were two factors affecting the carer’s
ability to cope with their role; Primary Stressors that result from the characteristics of
the disease and the consequent treatment demands and Secondary stressor that arise
from the ability of the carer to cope with the distress.
Conclusion: Study findings highlight the important role of caregivers in supporting
HNC patients. Although, the caregivers were deeply affected by the patients’ illness
their psychosocial needs were not always addressed. Therefore more research is
required so as to develop effective interventions aimed at supporting the caregivers
throughout the cancer trajectory. These interventions should be aimed at providing
emotional support to the caregivers, reducing the burden of symptom management and
at improving the social support network.
Dr Michael Galea, Peer-reviewed Journal: Galea, M. (2013). The Role of Extraversion in
predicting Burnout, Psychology of Extraversion. NOVA Publ.
Abstract: Burnout and personality are two increasingly relevant variables in research studies
related to the holistic well-being of individuals when faced with stressors in life. In this
correlational study, we targeted registered nurses working in highly stressful units at three
different hospitals in Malta (N=241). A cross-sectional design was employed. A self-report
questionnaire was adopted, measuring the Big Five Inventory personality measure, Maslach
Burnout Inventory, Subjective Well-Being, Positive and Negative Affect, together with
demographic information.
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Results: Maltese professional nurses suffer from high levels of burnout, namely high
depersonalization and emotional exhaustion, and low professional accomplishment. As
expected, burnout negatively correlated with wellbeing. Of particular relevance to counter
burnout among health care professionals in stressful jobs is the active consideration of
extraversion in the equation. Results indicate that extraversion predicted 24% of the variance
of burnout, even after partialing out other relevant variables including working environment
and affective wellbeing. Implications and recommendations were discussed.
John Xerri de Caro`s presentation in Brazil
In September, 2013, Mr John Xerri de Caro, Department of Physiotherapy was in Brazil on an
invitation by the University of Sao Paulo to participate in a workshop and address the 23rd
National Forum on Education in Physiotherapy.
He spoke on ‘Perspectives and state of the art of Physiotherapy Curricula within a
competency based education’ at a workshop organised by the Sao Paulo University and he also
delivered a keynote speech entitled ‘The influence of the Bologna Process on physiotherapy
education across Europe’ during the National Forum on Education in Physiotherapy.
Teaching at the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC-PR), Curitiba, Brazil by
Professor Donia Baldacchino: 27 July – 23 August 2013
Professor Donia Baldacchino was invited by Professor Mary Esperandio from the Theology
Department at the Pontifical Catholic University in Curitiba Brazil, to teach on the spiritual
dimension in life, illness and spiritual care to various groups of students undertaking
undergraduate courses such as social work, psychology, tourism, and post-graduate courses like
Masters in Pastoral Care & Counselling and Masters in Bio-Ethics and two research groups.
The current population at the university is 30,000 students coming from Brazil, Latin America
and other countries. Lectures start at 7.30am till 10.45pm! This gives the opportunity to
students to continue with their work life. Thus, late at night, the university was full of life!
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The Administration Building of the University is surrounded by trees, fountains and a river
During the sessions in Portuguese, an interpreter facilitated teaching and learning. A two day
seminar was conducted in English to a group of 22 post-graduate health-care professionals
consisting of nurses, medical doctors, psychologists and social workers.
A 2-day seminar with Postgraduate health care professionals
undertaking the MSc Bio-Ethics
coordinated by Professor Mario
Sanches and MSc Pastoral Care &
Counselling
(coordinated
by
Professor Mary Esperandio).
While considering the existing
research on the greater attention
being given to the technology in
patient care rather than on the
individual
person,
a
new
Department of Humanisation was
developed in an attempt to
promote holistic care.
Donia
delivered a session on ‘Spiritual issues in the care of the dying’ to a group of 110 psychology
students and psychologists at the Small Prince Faculty of Health. Before the session, Donia
visited the ‘Small Prince’ Paediatric Hospital which includes also an ITU and a Dialysis Unit.
She also gave a two-hour seminar on ‘The spiritual dimension in becoming a care-giver’ to a
group of post-graduates undertaking pastoral education at the Catholic Seminary in Curitiba.
On reflection it was realised that while Donia has given a lot to students in Brazil she has also
received a lot. This reinforced the notion of the importance of counting personal blessings in
life!!
Science in the City
Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ms Emily
Sammut (Department of Food Studies and
Environmental Health) and Mr Karl Montebello
(Department of Applied Biomedical Science)
participated at the last Science in the City festival that
was held in Valletta on the 27 September. The
students had the chance to introduce people that
visited the festival about the nutritional value, the
processing, the genetics and the history of the
production of popcorn. Emily and Karl have been
guided during the preparation of their poster material by Dr. Vasilis Valdramidis.
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The event took place at Merchant Street in
front of a giant popcorn sculpture created
by the artist Rune Bo Jakobsen. Dr.
Edward Duca coordinated the whole
event.
The event was repeated for the Notte
Bianca on the 5 October 2013.
ANNOUCEMENTS
Professor Helen Grech, President of the International Association of
Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP)
Professor Helen Grech was elected President of the International Association of Logopedics
and Phoniatrics (IALP) for the next three years.
The IALP was established in Vienna in1924 and is the oldest international organisation
representing professionals and scientists who work in the field of communication sciences and
with individuals exhibiting voice, speech, language, hearing and swallowing difficulties. The
IALP serves more than 150,000 members and has 58 Affiliated Societies from all continents of
the world. The Association has consultative status with the World Health Organisation (WHO)
of the United Nations. It also has an established scientific journal Folia Phoniatrica et
Logopaedica published by Karger, which is gaining popularity and increasing its impact factor.
The Association organises a triennial World. Website: www.ialp.info
Well done Helen!
Dr Roberta Sammut and Dr Rita Borg Xuereb – PROMOTED!
Dr Roberta Sammut, Department of Nursing and Dr Rita Borg Xuereb, Department of
Midwifery, have been promoted to senior lectures during last council meeting held in
September 2013.
Congratulation to both Roberta and Rita.
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Government representatives on the FHS Board
Ms Rita Grima and Ms Caroline Sant have been appointed by the Minister of Education and
Employment on the FHS Board for a period of two years.
Medical Physics Unit – A Department within FHS
At its meeting of the 21 June, 1013, Council agreed that the Medical Physics Unit became a
department within FHS and Dr Carmel J Caruana was appointed as Head of Department up to
30 September, 2014.
Dr Claire Sillato Copperstone – Awarded a Ph.D.
Ms Claire Sillato Copperstone, a member of the Food Studies and Environmental Health
Department, successfully defended her Ph.D. thesis.
Claire graduated as a pharmacist from the University of Malta in 1991 and then
proceeded to study for her Masters degree in Human Nutrition and Metabolism at the
University of Aberdeen which she obtained in 1994. She has been an academic member
of staff at the University of Malta since 1994, first on a part time and then on a full time
basis. She has also worked at Zammit Clapp Hospital and within the food industry as a
nutritionist.
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PhD in Human Nutrition, Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of
Aberdeen
Supervisors: Prof Geraldine Mc Neill, Dr Diane Jackson, Dr Lorna Aucott, Dr
Flora Douglas, Dr Leone Craig
Title: A novel dietary assessment tool and a feasibility study to improve
sugar and water consumption in Maltese school children.
Abstract: Obesity in children is a major public health concern in Malta with prevalence
statistics placing 11-, 13- and 15- year old Maltese children at the top of the scale, when
compared to other Westernised countries. Obtaining valid information on diets is therefore
vital to improve aspects of dietary behaviour in this age group. The main aim of this project
was to carry out a feasibility study to improve sugar and water intakes in Maltese school
children using a validated dietary assessment tool, REALITYMALTA™. This is a novel
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internet-based tool originally developed at the Rowett Institute for Nutrition and Health
(RINH) and further upgraded, by incorporating local food and drink, for use in Maltese school
children aged 9-11 years. Comparative results obtained using the new tool and a one day 24hr MPR showed non-significant differences between the two tools for sugars, NMES and water,
suggesting that it can be used with reasonable confidence to measure these nutrients in Maltese
school children. Focus groups carried out in the pre-intervention period guided towards the
development of a combined educational and environmental feasibility study carried out for a
12-week period in three local state schools. Educational sessions for parents and children
were held, an educational leaflet was distributed, and free bottled water was supplied to the
participating classrooms in the intervention schools. Nutrient results comparing the preintervention and post-intervention periods using the REALITYMALTA™ tool showed a
significant reduction in caloric intake and a decrease, although non-significant, in sugars and
NMES consumption. There were no statistically significant changes for water consumption.
These encouraging results could provide baseline information for a future full scale trial.
Further development work of REALITYMALTA™ is required to ensure the active participation
of all those involved and to successfully improve dietary behaviour and reduce obesity in
Maltese school children.
We congratulate Claire on her achievement.
Dr. Vasilis Valdramidis co-supervisor of PhD Thesis.
Dr. Vasilis Valdramidis co-supervised the PhD Thesis of Torstein SKÅRA who was awarded
the degree of Doctor of Engineering at the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium on the 30th
of August 2013.
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