Family medicine viewed through the public lens: A national cross-sectional study in Lebanon.

Abstract

Background: Family medicine (FM) is a medical specialty that provides continuing, comprehensive health care for the individual and the family. This study aimed to describe Lebanese citizens' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward FM as a specialty.

Methods: This is a national cross-sectional phone-based survey targeting the knowledge of the public about FM and its scope of practice. Questions were asked whether participants had primary health care doctors and their specialties.

Results: A total of 373 participants were included, with a response rate of 85.2%. Two-thirds were aware of the specialty of FM, while only 16.6% of the participants had previously visited a family physician. Most participants (69.7%) had a doctor they regularly consulted. One-third of participants had a general practitioner as their regular doctor. More than 80% of the participants agreed that FM physicians treat all family members with common and chronic diseases. Around 60% to 75% of participants knew that family physicians provide medical care to children, treat patients with psychiatric impairments, and perform minor surgeries. There was a significant gap in the participants' knowledge of FM physicians' role in managing obstetric or gynecologic patients.

Conclusion: Despite public awareness of FM, limited understanding and system challenges hinder its utilization in Lebanon. Educational campaigns, government-supported FM practices, and collaborations with public health initiatives are crucial to bridging the knowledge gap and establishing FM as the cornerstone of primary care. This knowledge gap challenges the specialty's identity and necessitates promoting FM as the cornerstone of primary care, potentially requiring a system-wide endorsement.