A case study on breastfeeding education in Lebanon’s public medical school: exploring the potential role of social networks in medical education

ABSTRACTBackground: Limited knowledge, negative beliefs, and lack of sufficient breastfeeding promotion and support by physicians contribute to global suboptimal breastfeeding rates. Formal medical education is well-known to influence future physicians’ knowledge, beliefs, and medical practice. However, less understood is the influence of social networks and processes on the exchange and diffusion of knowledge and practices related to breastfeeding. Objectives: We selected the underserved and under-supported public medical school in Lebanon to examine the social side of medical education. Our objectives were to assess knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy related to breastfeeding promotion and support among interns and residents. We also examined the social ecosystem surrounding these students concerning the exchange of breastfeeding knowledge. Design: All data were collected during one study visit per participant. First, an interview-administered structured survey was used to assess beliefs, perceived kn...