Assessment of healthcare professionals’ knowledge and practices regarding the appropriate use of medical devices in Morocco:  a cross-sectional study

Mahila Lafhal; Btissam Ait Hmad Oulahsen; Lhoussaine Zarayby; Amal Ait Haj Said; Soukaina Bennis

doi:10.18203/issn.2454-2156.IntJSciRep20263965

Authors

Mahila Lafhal Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco; Department of Pharmacy, 20 August 1953 Hospital, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
Btissam Ait Hmad Oulahsen Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco; Department of Pharmacy, 20 August 1953 Hospital, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
Lhoussaine Zarayby Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco; Department of Pharmacy, Ibn Rochd Hospital, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
Amal Ait Haj Said Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco; Department of Pharmacy, El Harouchi Hospital, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco
Soukaina Bennis Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco; Department of Pharmacy, Ibn Rochd Hospital, Ibn Rochd University Hospital Center, Casablanca, Morocco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-2156.IntJSciRep20263965

Keywords:

Medical devices, Materiovigilance, Healthcare professionals, Training, Traceability

Abstract

Background: Appropriate use of medical devices (MDs) is essential to ensure quality of care and patient safety. This study aimed to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge and practices regarding the appropriate use of MDs in Morocco and to identify associated factors.

Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2025 to February 2026 among 116 healthcare professionals in Morocco using an anonymous structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the chi-square or Fisher’s exact test.

Results: Of 116 participants, 35 (30.2%) were pharmacists, 34 (29.3%) physicians, 29 (25.0%) nurses, and 18 (15.5%) other healthcare professionals. Only 26 (22.4%) had received specific training on MDs. Thirty-one (26.7%) could distinguish MD risk classes, 41 (35.3%) knew traceability procedures, and 27 (23.3%) knew incident reporting procedures, while 80 (69.0%) systematically verified MD functioning before use. Specific training was significantly associated with knowledge of risk classes (p<0.001), traceability (p=0.001), and incident reporting procedures (p=0.009). Professional experience was associated with verification of MD functioning (p=0.006). Overall, 63 (54.3%) considered MD use moderately appropriate. Lack of training (84.5%), workload (53.4%), and poor quality of some MDs (50.0%) were the main reported barriers. Regular training (86.2%), strengthened biomedical monitoring (69.8%), and standardized protocols (65.5%) were the main proposed improvements.

Conclusions: Gaps were identified in healthcare professionals’ training and knowledge regarding MDs. Strengthening training, standardized procedures, and materiovigilance could promote safer MD use in Morocco.

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