Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research最新文献

{"title":"Performance Power: Boosting Saudi Arabia’s Health System Disaster Readiness (2017–2023)","authors":"Hisham Hassan Ali Dinar","doi":"10.1159/000539708","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000539708","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The 2016 self-assessment based on joint external evaluation (JEE) identified certain gaps, which prompted the need for additional improvement. This study attempted to address an approach to enhance preparedness using the performance management system’s components focusing on related areas in the JEE tool by the International Health Regulations (IHR). Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study including all hospitals and regional health directorates within the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia. Entities preparedness was calculated using the JEE tool. Moreover, the implementation of the performance management system was also assessed for Saudi Arabia from the year 2017 to 2022. Additionally, the feedback was collected using the survey from the 11 National Preparedness Index (NPI) coordinators. Results: Total readiness was found to be 52% only, which was far less than the planned value of 75%. While regarding the implementation of the performance management system, it was noted that there was a progressive increase in the implementation from 10% in the year 2017 to 81.25% in the year 2022. Considering the feedback responses of NPI coordinators, it was found that 100% of coordinators agreed that the NPI has supported enhancing Health emergency preparedness and that the follow-up and support from the NPI team played an important role in NPI score improvement. Conclusion: The analysis indicated that while there are areas of progress, Saudi Arabia is still working on strengthening fundamental public health functions and emergency preparedness. This is evident when comparing a range of indicators with those of many countries under the purview of the World Health Organization (WHO).","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"114 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141835487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Telephone Medical Consultation Service (937) on Users’ Outcomes in Saudi Arabia: A National Study","authors":"Walid A. Al-Shroby, Imen S. Sohaibani, Maram E. Bin Dayel, Najla S. Al-Suliman, Nuha Alhumaid, Najla J. Alhraiwil","doi":"10.1159/000537991","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000537991","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: One of the telehealth tools is the telephone, which has been used to deliver healthcare in many settings in response to increase demand and pressures on existing health services. This study aimed to explore the impact of telephone medical consultation service (937) on users’ outcomes in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia. Telephone interviews were used to collect data. Study participants were selected randomly from the list of medical consultation users in December 2021. Users’ outcome was defined as service accessibility, utilization, user compliance, satisfaction, and enablement. Trained data collectors conducted the interviews between February and September 2022. All ethical issues were considered during the research, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v.25 program was used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 2,534 telephone interviews were completed and analyzed from 5,052 trials with a response rate of 50.2%. Most participants were Saudis (92.7%, 2,348), and (54.4%, 1,379) were females. Study participants used the call either for personal help or to help another family member, and more than one-third (38.8%, 983) had inquiries about COVID-19. Most (91%, 2,306) participants were satisfied with the provided service. Users who had answers to their inquiries and those who followed the provided advice were more likely to be satisfied. However, a positive medical history increases the likelihood of dissatisfaction (p value = 0.027). Users had better enablement after calling the 937 telephone medical consultation center. Conclusion: Most 937 telephone consultation calls were handled without needing face-to-face visits. Most 937 telehealth service users were satisfied and complied with the health advice.","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":" 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140215462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Overview of the Medical Tourism in Qatar: Where Do We Stand?","authors":"Asrar Albaz","doi":"10.1159/000535623","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000535623","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Since the early 2000s, the Qatari Government has been proactively trying to provide world-class healthcare for its population free at the point of use. The Qatar National Vision 2030 advocates developing a medical tourism industry, which would continue to provide world-class healthcare for its citizens and residents, provide high status employment, and expand its sustainable economic base. Summary: Currently, the outbound medical tourism appears to be higher than the inbound tourism in Qatar, but this trend may be reversed in the future given the publicity generated by the recent FIFA World Cup and the large number of people who visited and learned about Qatar as a safe and developed destination in the Middle East. In this review, an in-depth understanding of the complexity of medical tourism per se and, in particular, the complexity of medical tourism as a distinct niche market within the Qatari context is described. Key Message: Considering the tangible and intangible infrastructure, Qatar boasts a very high potential to place itself among the top medical tourism destinations in the region.","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"54 21","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139385190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experience of Conducting a Group Patient Education Program at a Tertiary Hospital in Riyadh","authors":"Mahmoud Ibrahim Almahameed, Shadi F. Kakish, Amani K Abu-Shaheen","doi":"10.1159/000534870","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000534870","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Patient education plays an essential role in improving patient compliance with treatment. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the healthcare educators’ and the patients’ and their companions’ satisfaction and experience with regard to the health education program conducted during their waiting period in the outpatient department (OPD) at King Fahad Medical City. Moreover, compliance with planned educational topics was also assessed. Methods: A pre-post interventional study, including patients and their companions as well as health educators in the waiting rooms of the various OPDs, was conducted. The pre-intervention phase involved group teaching sessions, followed by a survey that assessed patient and educator satisfaction and experience as well as compliance rate. Then, a loophole identification survey was conducted to determine the drawbacks based on which group teaching procedure was modified. Post-intervention, a modified teaching session was completed. Results: A total of 4,362 patients and their companions participated in this study, along with 22 health educators. During the pre-intervention phase, the patient and their companions reported a 78% satisfaction rate for the conducted patient and family educational activities. While, after improving the group teaching process, the satisfaction rates increased to 90% in the post-intervention phase. The health educators’ satisfaction rate improved remarkably from 27.3% to 86.4%. Discussion/Conclusion: By incorporating simple modifications in the educational activities, a higher satisfaction rate might be achieved among the participants and the health educators.","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"15 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138601991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acknowledgement to the Reviewers","authors":"","doi":"10.1159/000535456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000535456","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"171 2","pages":"204 - 204"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139025163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Awareness and Readiness of Healthcare Workers Regarding National Transformation Program in the Health Sector in Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia","authors":"Khulud Mohammed Ghalibi, Hamza Mohamed Ibrahim Omer, Mohammad Al Mamun","doi":"10.1159/000534781","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000534781","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The National Transformation Program is a program that aims to develop the necessary infrastructure and create an environment that enables the public, private, and non-profit sectors to achieve Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the awareness and readiness of healthcare workers regarding the National Transformation Program in the health sector of Tabuk region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study among healthcare workers in Tabuk region using a “Google Form” based questionnaire. We sent the web link to all (100%) employees’ official email addresses through the Information Technology department’s internal communication system. The study included only those who completed the “Google Form” with the required data. The “Google Form” inquired about the respondents’ background characteristics, awareness regarding the National Transformation Program, and readiness for the transformation process. We analyzed the data with SPSS 16.0 for Windows and OpenEpi version 3.01. Results: Of 492 respondents, all (100%) had heard of the program and nearly three-quarters (71.5%) knew its strategic objectives, mainly through social media (72.4%). However, only about half of the respondents (49%) had a clear understanding of the institutional transformation process and the new model of care in the health sector. The main concern of the respondents was job security (41.1%), while the majority of them felt they were part of the program (89.9%) and supported it (92.2%). Their readiness for the transformation process was significantly higher (p < 0.05) among women and physicians than among men and other healthcare workers. Conclusion: Despite having a high level of awareness regarding the National Transformation Program in the health sector, some healthcare workers lacked a clear understanding of the institutional transformation process and the new model of care in the health sector. It is essential to address the expectations and concerns of different groups of healthcare workers to ensure their engagement and commitment to the program.","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"89 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139263507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Nature and Availability of Mental Health Services in Arab Gulf Countries: A Scoping Review","authors":"T. Alanazi, L. Mckenna, M. Buck","doi":"10.1159/000531699","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000531699","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Given that mental health services are developing across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) or Arab Gulf countries, there is a need to examine the nature of these services to explore how they are developing, expanding, or evolving. This study aimed to explore what is known about the scope and nature of available mental health services for adult populations in Arab Gulf countries. Methods: This scoping review was informed by the 2005 methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley. The databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ProQuest Central, EMBASE, Web of Science/Scopus, DOAJ, and Saudi Digital Library were searched for studies published between 2011 and 2021. Studies were included if they focused on reported scope and nature of available mental health services for adult populations in Arab Gulf countries, excluding those related to drug and alcohol, intellectual disability, and behavioural problems. Results: The search identified 8,884 articles, from which a total of 28 were included in the final review. The majority of studies were from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with fewer studies from other Arab Gulf countries, and only one conducted in Bahrain. Mental health services described were primarily referral services, psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy, telepsychiatry and mobile health services, screening, early detection and management of depression and anxiety, and other mental health services. Conclusion: This review revealed that the most available and utilised mental health services in Arab Gulf countries for treating adult mental disorders are psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy, telepsychiatry and mobile health services, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114284875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Primary Health Care Physicians Perceptions about Centralized Electronic Prescription Service in Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia","authors":"M. Hammad, C. S. Kalevaru, O. Al Yahia, Abdulaziz Almutairi, F. Almogbel, B. Abalkhail, Rand Albahli","doi":"10.1159/000531697","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000531697","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: In the current era, electronic prescriptions are increasing in developed countries including Saudi Arabia, where the resources were adequate to manage the manpower and technical issues. The objective of the study was to find the perceptions of the physicians about the centralized electronic prescriptions at the primary health care centers (PHCCs) and suggestions to improve the existing service. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among the PHC physicians and distributed questionnaires to 200 physicians through Google Links. Based on the WhatsApp group numbers, circulated a questionnaire to entire Qassim PHCC physicians and 131 physicians responded to our survey. Data were entered and analyzed with SPSS 21.0 version and necessary statistical tests were applied. Results: In the current study, 70.2% (n-92) were males and 40.5% (n-53) were 25–35 years of age. About 91.6% (n-120) of physicians gave an opinion of average and above satisfaction regarding Wasfaty service. Approximately, one-fifth of physicians (20.6%, n-27) gave their opinion as did not face difficulty with Wasfaty service. Approximately, half of the physicians (53.4%, n-70) gave a response as the Wasfaty service did not reduce the waiting time for the patient. There was significant association was observed among physicians fully satisfied with increasing prescription time and age (p < 0.05). One-third, 34.8% (n-55) of physicians gave an opinion on an internet problem, and 26.6% (n-42) physicians mentioned more options of medication at Wasfaty service. Conclusions: Based on the results of the study, PHCC physicians’ satisfaction regarding the Wasfaty service was good. But, need to address certain modifiable issues like internet problems, and more options for medication availability at Wasfaty service. Need similar studies as a follow-up survey are required to substantiate the current study findings and to improve Wasfaty service satisfaction.","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"34 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127398723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Food Advertised to Children: A Content Analysis Study of Saudi Food and Drug Authority Food Advertisement System","authors":"Lulu A. Almutairi, A. Alqahtani","doi":"10.1159/000531698","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000531698","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Evidence showed that some food advertisements may encourage unhealthy dietary practices among children; therefore, regulatory developments were implemented to overcome this issue. Different countries control or ban unhealthy food advertisements marketed to children, whereas in Saudi Arabia, no regulations exist until now. Thus, identifying and analyzing food advertisements aimed at children is crucial for further implementation. Methods: A content analysis of food advertisements was obtained from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority advertisements electronic registration system (Ealan). The data extracted for this study consist of all Ealan system food advertisements’ requests targeted at children (<12 years) and collected over 16 months (from January 2020 to April 2021). We created a codebook to analyze the advertisements’ persuasive techniques. Results: Forty-one advertisements were analyzed; 58.5% were marketed as posters, whereas the rest (41.5%) were visual advertisements. About 95% of the advertisements were aimed to be marketed through social media, and 35% were aimed to be featured on television. The persuasive techniques used in the analyzed advertisements were children (73.2%), health claims (68.3%), and taste appeals (34.1%). In addition, milk powder products were among the most marketed food type (60.9%). Conclusion: This study found that the primary persuasive techniques used in children’s advertisements were children’s appearance, health claims, and taste appeals. Furthermore, most food companies chose social media to promote their products. We recommend designing preventive policies and restrictions to control children’s exposure to unhealthy food and making modifications to the system before implementing any further restriction.","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126326160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Opportunities and Barriers in the Planning of Hospital Bed Capacity in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Makkah, Saudi Arabia","authors":"Manal Z. Alfahmi, S. A. Elmorsey, Raghad M. Aburuzaizah, wedian O. Almowallad","doi":"10.1159/000530235","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1159/000530235","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: In alignment with Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision to improve healthcare services, Saudi hospital policymakers must have a clear understanding of the needs of their hospitals to make strategic decisions regarding hospital bed capacity planning. King Abdullah Medical City (KAMC) is a tertiary and quaternary healthcare facility that has four state-of-the-art excellence centers, of which the Cardiac and Oncology Centers are among the largest and the most advanced in the west of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study used a mixed-methods approach. The study’s quantitative component included a revision of retrospective data of KAMC’s operational parameters, such as bed capacity, bed occupancy rate (BOR), and length of stay (LOS). For the study’s qualitative component, researchers used semi-structured interviews. Personnel at different management levels were interviewed to explore factors that might influence an increase in the BOR and patients’ LOS. Results: KAMC’s key performance indicators showed an overall LOS of 9.9 days and an overall BOR of 88%. Analysis broken down by the department shows the General and the Neuroscience Intensive Care Units and the Hematology/Oncology departments to have the highest BOR, ranging between 95% and 97%. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews suggested that the delays in the provision of consultation services among the hospital’s inpatients were among the factors that have the biggest influence on bed occupancy; the presence of dedicated case managers in every department was among the top suggested solutions. Conclusion: A battery of interventions might help to reduce the LOS by supporting timely patient discharge. The presence of a dedicated case manager with a medical background in each department is one of the most practical interventions. Other vital opportunities include reinforcement of back-referral policies, revising policies, and having cluster-level referral policies and bed management strategies. Although such efforts are likely to have a positive effect, they are expected to only partially meet the existing gap, which probably requires increasing the number of available active beds.","PeriodicalId":214470,"journal":{"name":"Saudi Journal of Health Systems Research","volume":"53 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131279105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}