A Scoping Review of Interprofessional Education in Saudi Arabia: Outcomes, Barriers, and Implementation Challenges.

Abstract

Interprofessional education (IPE) is an important concept in healthcare education. Evaluating IPE implementation is essential for identifying challenges, exploring opportunities, and strengthening integration. This study evaluated the available evidence on IPE in Saudi Arabia, focusing on its outcomes, barriers, and A scoping review methodology was employed to analyse research from four databases covering the period from 2000 to 2024. The search used keywords such as "IPE" and "Saudi Arabia" and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews. In total, 5,174 records were identified. After removing duplicates and screening for relevance, 21 articles were included in the final review. Most studies followed a cross-sectional design, used the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS), and were conducted in Central Saudi Arabia. This review highlights the growing evidence for the implementation of IPE in Saudi Arabia. Although the findings indicate a positive attitude towards IPE, challenges remain in the implications for the educational system. Addressing this gap and ensuring a more structured and widespread implementation can enhance IPE and patient outcomes.