Factors Influencing Telehealth Adoption in Managing Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review

Hamad Mohammed Alamri,1 Salah Alshagrawi2 1Ministry of Health, Eastern Health Cluster, Ras Tanura General Hospital, Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Salah Alshagrawi, Email sshagrawi@g...

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Main Authors: Alamri HM, Alshagrawi S
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/factors-influencing-telehealth-adoption-in-managing-healthcare-in-saud-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDH
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author Alamri HM
Alshagrawi S
author_facet Alamri HM
Alshagrawi S
author_sort Alamri HM
collection DOAJ
description Hamad Mohammed Alamri,1 Salah Alshagrawi2 1Ministry of Health, Eastern Health Cluster, Ras Tanura General Hospital, Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Salah Alshagrawi, Email sshagrawi@gmail.comBackground: The utilization of telehealth as an effective means to provide quality services is steadily rising across different tiers of the health system. However, advancing telehealth utilization relies on the current healthcare systems’ infrastructure, policies, cultural factors, and utilization requirements can influence the utilization of telehealth within Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system.Purpose: This study seeks to systematically review the literature related to examining the factors influencing telehealth adoption and identifying the barriers and determinants of the use of telehealth in Saudi’s healthcare system.Methods: A systematic review methodology was utilized in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The methodology included an exploratory and narrative design, a dual-phase search strategy, eligibility criteria, and analysis. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was employed to assess the quality of the chosen papers.Results: The search yielded 3197 articles to which eligibility criteria were applied. Thirteen articles were deemed eligible, screened, and utilized for comprehensive analysis in the present study. Numerous articles indicated that the utilization of telehealth has risen in Saudi Arabia, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment strategies have aligned with the demand for telehealth systems. The primary challenges were resource limitations and the absence of cultural frameworks conducive to the utilization of telehealth in the country.Conclusion: Telehealth represents a major technological breakthrough in the healthcare industry. However, there are some drawbacks to its adoption. The limited availability of Telehealth technologies poses a significant challenge. Secondly, relying solely on privatization might not adequately address the issue at hand. Third, there is a lack of knowledge and awareness regarding its associated benefits among healthcare staff. The establishment of telemedicine and telehealth infrastructure necessitates significant financial investment, which serves as a major factor and obstacle to the widespread adoption of telehealth.Keywords: telemedicine, telecare, health services, clinics, healthcare workers, quality management
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spelling doaj-art-2e3e339d327e4ce3ac0a6e1e72e1cb8e2024-11-14T17:37:43ZengDove Medical PressJournal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare1178-23902024-11-01Volume 175225523597296Factors Influencing Telehealth Adoption in Managing Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic ReviewAlamri HMAlshagrawi SHamad Mohammed Alamri,1 Salah Alshagrawi2 1Ministry of Health, Eastern Health Cluster, Ras Tanura General Hospital, Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Salah Alshagrawi, Email sshagrawi@gmail.comBackground: The utilization of telehealth as an effective means to provide quality services is steadily rising across different tiers of the health system. However, advancing telehealth utilization relies on the current healthcare systems’ infrastructure, policies, cultural factors, and utilization requirements can influence the utilization of telehealth within Saudi Arabia’s healthcare system.Purpose: This study seeks to systematically review the literature related to examining the factors influencing telehealth adoption and identifying the barriers and determinants of the use of telehealth in Saudi’s healthcare system.Methods: A systematic review methodology was utilized in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The methodology included an exploratory and narrative design, a dual-phase search strategy, eligibility criteria, and analysis. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was employed to assess the quality of the chosen papers.Results: The search yielded 3197 articles to which eligibility criteria were applied. Thirteen articles were deemed eligible, screened, and utilized for comprehensive analysis in the present study. Numerous articles indicated that the utilization of telehealth has risen in Saudi Arabia, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The investment strategies have aligned with the demand for telehealth systems. The primary challenges were resource limitations and the absence of cultural frameworks conducive to the utilization of telehealth in the country.Conclusion: Telehealth represents a major technological breakthrough in the healthcare industry. However, there are some drawbacks to its adoption. The limited availability of Telehealth technologies poses a significant challenge. Secondly, relying solely on privatization might not adequately address the issue at hand. Third, there is a lack of knowledge and awareness regarding its associated benefits among healthcare staff. The establishment of telemedicine and telehealth infrastructure necessitates significant financial investment, which serves as a major factor and obstacle to the widespread adoption of telehealth.Keywords: telemedicine, telecare, health services, clinics, healthcare workers, quality managementhttps://www.dovepress.com/factors-influencing-telehealth-adoption-in-managing-healthcare-in-saud-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDHtelemedicinetelecarehealth servicesclinicshealthcare workersquality management
spellingShingle Alamri HM
Alshagrawi S
Factors Influencing Telehealth Adoption in Managing Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare
telemedicine
telecare
health services
clinics
healthcare workers
quality management
title Factors Influencing Telehealth Adoption in Managing Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
title_full Factors Influencing Telehealth Adoption in Managing Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Factors Influencing Telehealth Adoption in Managing Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Factors Influencing Telehealth Adoption in Managing Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
title_short Factors Influencing Telehealth Adoption in Managing Healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review
title_sort factors influencing telehealth adoption in managing healthcare in saudi arabia a systematic review
topic telemedicine
telecare
health services
clinics
healthcare workers
quality management
url https://www.dovepress.com/factors-influencing-telehealth-adoption-in-managing-healthcare-in-saud-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JMDH
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