Factors influencing implementation of the accreditation process in primary healthcare centers in Lebanon

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this project is to assess factors that influence implementation of the accreditation process in primary health care centers and provide possible recommendations to minimize these factors. Background & Significance: Primary health care in many countries is the first point of contact the community has with health care services. A strong primary healthcare system is a predictor for better health outcomes. Accreditation is one approach to strengthen the primary health care system. In Lebanon, during the 1970s, the public sector collapsed due to the war leading to a mushroom of primary healthcare centers governed by different entities to meet the demands. However, most of these primary healthcare centers were not providing high quality of services. Thus, the Ministry of Public Health, wanted to use the accreditation as a mean to raise the performance level by providing standards for the existing services. Research design & methods: The proposed study is based on a descriptive cross-sectional study design that involved 117 PHCs registered in the accreditation program at the Ministry of Public Health. Data was collected using a mailed self-reported questionnaire that was sent to the participants to consent to and fill at their own convenience. A reminder was sent one week after the first mail to elicit more responses. Data was analyzed using frequencies, median, and crosstab analysis for the variables. Results: Results revealed that financial issues, lack of equipment, lack of trained professional staff, and excessive workloads were the main barriers for implementing the accreditation process. While instructions and help provided by the ministry of health coordinators on accreditation, as well as the policies provided to PHCs were facilitators for accreditation. Recommendations : to overcome the multiple barriers for successful accreditation, several actions can be done in order to facilitate implementing the accreditation process such as: working with insurance companies for financial help; introducing the concept of accreditation to healthcare professionals at an early stage, educational sessions about accreditation; using the media as a tool to inform the community about PHC accreditation and its benefits as well as close follow up by the government to keep the policies up to date with the need of the community in Lebanon.