Factors affecting knowledge, attitude and practice of physicians towards medico-legal aspects in clinical practice in Menoufia governorate hospitals

Abstract

Physicians are subjected to many legal, ethical, and moral obligations. The balance between excellence in patient care and medico-legal requirements establishes a successful clinical practice. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate factors affecting knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of physicians in Menoufia governorate hospitals towards different medico-legal aspects. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional survey study was carried out from the beginning of October 2020 to the end of December 2020 at Menoufia governorate hospitals (both secondary and tertiary care hospitals). The physicians of different specialties who met the inclusion criteria and thoroughly answered questions of a predesigned self-administered questionnaire about knowledge, attitude, and practice towards different medico-legal aspects in clinical field attitude were included. Results: Among 387 studied physicians, the mean age was 38.97±9.58 years. 58.66% were male physicians. 58.40% were specialists. Most of them (67.44%) were working in secondary care hospitals, and 51.94% were surgeons. The duration of experience years was 12.74±7.26. 24.29% had both undergraduate and postgraduate medico-legal education and training. Linear regression analysis showed that the significant independent predictors of high awareness score were experience years, working in tertiary care hospitals and previous both undergraduate and post graduate medico-legal education and training. The significant independent predictors of high attitude score were experience years, specialty, and previous both undergraduate and postgraduate medico-legal education and training. In contrast, the significant independent predictors of high practice score were professional degree, specialty, and previous both undergraduate and postgraduate medico-legal education and training. Conclusion: Significant variations were identified in physicians' knowledge, attitude, and practices towards medico-legal aspects in Menoufia governorate hospitals. Both undergraduate and postgraduate medico-legal education and training significantly affected their awareness, attitude, and practices towards different ethical and legal issues.