The Malta Foundation programme : one year on : part I

The Malta Foundation programme was launched in July 2009, In July 2010 the first group of foundation doctors were awarded their Foundation Achievement of Competence Document allowing them to proceed to the next step of their career, basic specialist training. The programme was set p with two main objectives: A. t improve the first two years of postgraduate training of doctors and to ensure that doctors achieved a level of competence enabling provision of safe patient care; and B. to reverse the exodus of Maltese medical graduates and retain an adequate proportion of doctors to allow the local health service to provide a good quality service. we present the results of the introduction of the Foundation programme to Malta and ask whether the main objectives have been achievedpeer-reviewe

The Malta Foundation Programme : one year on : pt.II

Part 1 of this article can be found in this link : https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/12739Part 2 of the article. The Malta Foundation programme was launched in July 2009, In July 2010 the first group of foundation doctors were awarded their Foundation Achievement of Competence Document allowing them to proceed to the next step of their career, basic specialist training. The programme was set p with two main objectives: A. to improve the first two years of postgraduate training of doctors and to ensure that doctors achieved a level of competence enabling provision of safe patient care; and B. to reverse the exodus of Maltese medical graduates and retain an adequate proportion of doctors to allow the local health service to provide a good quality service. we present the results of the introduction of the Foundation programme to Malta and ask whether the main objectives have been achieved.peer-reviewe

Clinical practice guidelines : the way ahead

A seminar entitled `Clinical Practice Guidelines - The Way Ahead' was organised jointly by the Office of the Director General and the Department of Medicine on 5th March 2005. The aim of the seminar was to introduce the concept of Clinical Practice Guidelines into the framework of the medical and paramedical professions in Malta. It was well attended by around 80 delegates from most of the healthcare professions. The seminar was co-chaired by Dr Alfred Caruana Galizia, Chairman Department of Medicine and Dr Mariella Borg Buontempo, Consultant in Public Health, Office of the Director General.peer-reviewe

Tetanus : forgiven, not forgotten

Tetanus is an illness that is still prevalent although the incidence has markedly decreased largely due to immunisation programmes. The latest four cases managed at St. Luke's hospital over 2001-2002 are presented. All of these patients survived. We give an overview of the illness and discuss the cases and management. The potential benefit of using dual antibiotic therapy is questioned.peer-reviewe

Adult immunisation : an overview

This year in particular saw the potential influenza pandemic fuel the uptake of immunisation against annual influenza. Judging from reports that both public and private sector vaccines ran out beforehand, the uptake must have been higher than usual, although no official reports are available to date. There were no significant reports of influenza illness in the community probably as a result of this.peer-reviewe

Crusted (Norwegian) scabies treated with oral ivermectin : a case report and overview

Crusted (Norwegian) scabies is a severe and highly contagious form of infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. It occurs in a subgroup of patients who are either immunocompromised or physically or mentally debilitated. Due to its atypical clinical presentation as well as difficulties associated with its management it presents a number of challenges both from a therapeutic aspect as well as from public health perspective. Failure to diagnose this condition may give rise to a massive epidemic when the patient is in an institutional setting. We describe a case of crusted scabies which occurred in a nursing home leading to an institutional outbreak. She received a combination of oral ivermectin and topical scabicidal with good results. This case highlights the importance of being alert to the possible diagnosis of crusted scabies and gives an overview of the condition as well as management strategies.peer-reviewe

Sharp increase in traffic fatalities in first quarter of 2022 in Malta

INTRODUCTION: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a leading cause of death and disease burden worldwide. Malta experienced a declining trend in RTA mortality over the past years albeit with a surge at the time of writing. This study was carried out to analyse trends in RTAs in Malta.METHODS: RTA statistics by quarter were obtained from the website of the National Statistics Office for 2013-2021. Records for Quarter1 (Q1) 2022 were compiled from media publications. Regression was used to estimate expected values for RTA fatalities for Q1 2022 and 2022 totals, particularly in relation to the targets laid out in the Road Safety Strategy Malta 2014-2024. The type of accident was also analysed from 2017.RESULTS: From 2013, a transient dip in annual fatalities occurred in 2014, with a steep incline to 2016, followed by a highly significant decline which was reversed sharply in Q1 of 2022. For Q1 2022, expected fatalities were 59 years (n=38). In some years, up to 75% of all fatalities were motorcycle/e-bicycle riders.CONCLUSION: Road safety should be a national priority until Vision Zero is reached. Better data collection and analysis should shed light on causes and solutions to prevent RTAs. The current National Road Safety Strategy, with emphasis on education, engineering and enforcement remains relevant, but there is little evidence that its targets are being achieved. More must be done to guarantee road safety to users in Malta.peer-reviewe

The Malta Foundation Programme : time to act

On the 27th November 2008, the Health Care Services Division announced that a Foundation Programme for Housephysicians will commence in July 2009. The same circular stated that “this two-year programme for Housephysicians essentially transforms the current housemanship into a structured learning experience.” For those of us who spent the main part of our two years of housemanship at St Luke’s Hospital, this sounds rather strange. For a start why do we need to “transform” the current housemanship? It worked well enough for us. And secondly what exactly is a “structured learning experience”?peer-reviewe

Empyema Secondary to Actinomyces meyeri Treated Successfully with Ceftriaxone Followed by Doxycycline

Actinomycosis is a relatively rare infection caused by Gram-positive bacteria. We present the case of a 54-year-old, previously healthy, male patient with a history of severe penicillin allergy who developed severe pneumonia and empyema caused by Actinomyces meyeri. Presenting symptoms included productive cough, right upper quadrant pain, and chills and rigors. He required drainage of the empyema via tube and prolonged antibiotic treatment with intravenous ceftriaxone for 2 weeks followed by oral doxycycline for 6 months