title: State of family medicine practice in Lebanon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many difficulties are encountered in family medicine practice and were subject to multinational studies. To date, no study was conducted in Lebanon to assess the challenges that family physicians face. This study aims to evaluate the family medicine practice in Lebanon stressing on the difficulties encountered by Lebanese family physicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was sent to all 96 family medicine physicians practicing in Lebanon. Participants answered questions about characteristics of family medicine practice, evaluation of the quality of work, identification of obstacles, and their effect on the medical practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 59%, and the average number of years of practice was 10.7 years. Physicians complain mainly of heavy load at work, too many bureaucratic tasks, demanding patients, and being undervalued by the specialists. Most physicians are able to adapt between their professional and private life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite all the obstacles encountered, Lebanese family physicians have a moderate satisfaction toward their practice. They remain positive and enthusiastic about their profession. Until the ministry of public health revises its current health system, the primary care profession in Lebanon will remain fragile as a profession.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helou
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Grace Abi
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Rizk
keywords: Family medicine; physicians; primary care