Patient safety knowledge and compliance among physicians in public hospitals in Lebanon

Background: Patient safety (PS) remains a global healthcare concern. Physicians, through their central role, significantly influence PS culture and adverse event prevention. This research evaluates PS knowledge, attitudes, practices, and their determinants among physicians in Lebanese public hospitals. Methods: This study is a secondary data analysis from a survey conducted with healthcare workers in Lebanese public hospitals in 2020-2021. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression to identify factors associated with PS compliance. Results: The study included 111 physicians (67% men, 33% women; average age 34 years), with 62.2% working in rural areas. Six dimensions of PS knowledge yielded a mean score of 60/100 (SD=19.9). Mean compliance with PS goals was 58.8/100 (SD=10.7). Multivariate linear regression showed higher compliance associated with urban hospital location, alternating work schedules, presence of a PS office, higher PS knowledge scores, and lower frequency of reporting events. Conclusions: Compliance was highest in urban hospitals with university affiliations, though exceptions indicated these factors alone don't guarantee robust PS practices. Physician engagement, institutionalized prioritization of safeguards, and enforced protocols were key determinants of successful implementation. Active monitoring mechanisms targeting physicians may yield significant improvements, as physicians often establish PS standards within hospitals. PS structures and protocols can be enhanced through reformed accreditation processes integrating more PS dimensions. Inter-hospital collaboration creating continued medical education modules for PS training has shown positive outcomes in Lebanon.