Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Exploring Digital Self-Management Support for Chronic Knee Pain in Physiotherapy Clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Two Phased Sequential Mixed Methods Study(Cradiff University, 2024-04) Aljahdali, Shaima; Latchem-Hastings, Julie; Button, Kate; Hamana, KatyBackground and study aim: Chronic knee pain is a widespread issue globally, affecting individuals of all ages worldwide. This challenge is intensified by an aging population, sedentary lifestyles and increasing obesity rates. There is an international shift towards promoting active management approaches in line with clinical guidelines, including physical activity, dietary changes and the support of self-management. This shift has led to an evolution of digital initiatives designed to support people to self- manage their chronic knee pain. However, despite the high prevalence of chronic knee pain in Saudi Arabia, relevant research in the region remains scarce. This study aims to explore digital self-management support for knee pain within the current physiotherapy practices in Jeddah, a prominent city in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study employed a sequential exploratory mixed-method design. It started with qualitative interviews involving 29 participants (15 physiotherapists and 14 individuals with knee pain), analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Phase 1). The aim was to explore how existing physiotherapy practices for knee conditions align with self-management support principles and to explore the perceptions of potential users towards digital self-management support initiatives. Part of the findings informed the adaptation of the digital intervention "TRAK" into a Saudi-specific platform named "TRAK-Saudi". In Phase 2, 12 participants (6 physiotherapists and 6 individuals with chronic knee pain) participated in remote usability testing sessions for evaluating the usability of TRAK-Saudi. The perceived usability was assessed using the Arabic System Usability Scale (A-SUS), with usability issues identified through a concurrent think-aloud approach and analysed via quantitative content analysis. Additionally, the likelihood of substituting face-to-face sessions was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Qualitative and quantitative data from both phases were integrated at various points to address the study's overarching aim. Findings: In Phase 1, the findings highlighted a discrepancy between current physiotherapy practices and the foundational principles of self-management support, underscoring an essential transition towards patient-centred care. Participants generally favoured digital self-management support initiatives, advocating for their role as supplementary to in-clinic therapy rather than as replacements. TRAK-Saudi was rated highly for usability, with A-SUS scores of 77.5 by individuals with chronic knee pain and 83.3 by physiotherapists. During the navigation of TRAK-Saudi, participants initiated 53 inquiries, primarily seeking guidance and assurance. Participants also expressed strong willingness to substitute in-clinic sessions with TRAK-Saudi, reflected in median ratings of 4.5 for individuals with chronic knee pain and 5 for physiotherapists, with a mode of 5 for both type of participants. Conclusion: Both physiotherapists and individuals with chronic knee pain demonstrated competence and openness to digital solutions. While TRAK-Saudi was user-friendly for Saudi users, current physiotherapy practices lack the clinical foundation to fully embrace digital self-management support initiatives. Significant changes in current practices are necessary to promote patient-centred care. At this stage, it is advisable for Jeddah’s physiotherapy clinics, if interested, to integrate TRAK-Saudi or similar initiatives as supplement to existing practices. This strategy aims to elevate the quality of knee care by enriching individuals’ knowledge, strengthening patient-provider relationship and improving self-management skills.4 0Item Restricted Improvements of Technical Blockchain to Combat Ransomware Attacks in Healthcare(Newcastle University, 2024) Albalawi, Sarah; Mace, JohnIn the face of increasing cybersecurity threats, ransomware attacks have become a significant risk to critical sectors such as healthcare. As medical healthcare systems increasingly rely on electronic health records, they face heightened vulnerabilities that can compromise patient data and disrupt essential medical services. Ransomware attacks can encrypt and render critical medical records inaccessible, jeopardising patient care. This research aims to develop and evaluate a blockchain-based solution designed to secure medical healthcare records against ransomware, enhancing data integrity, availability, and security in healthcare systems. By leveraging blockchain technology, specifically by using smart contracts and decentralised applications on the Ethereum platform, the proposed solution creates a decentralised, immutable medical record management system. The system's robustness is demonstrated through a Python-based ransomware simulation, which compares locally stored medical data with data managed via blockchain. The findings show that the blockchain-based approach and smart contracts maintain data integrity and availability during ransomware attacks, preventing unauthorised access and ensuring continuous healthcare operations. These results suggest that adopting blockchain technology in healthcare can significantly mitigate the risks posed by ransomware, reduce operational disruptions, and protect patient data from evolving cyber threats, ultimately providing a scalable and secure solution for enhancing cybersecurity in the healthcare sector.16 0Item Restricted Exploring Professional Identity and Academic Motivation in Paramedicine(Monash University, 2024-08) Alotaibi, Monther; Bowles, Kelly; Williams, BrettBackground: The evolution of the paramedic profession necessitates an understanding of the factors influencing professional identity and academic motivation among paramedic students. This study aims to explore the relationship between these two constructs within a cohort of undergraduate paramedicine students. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilized. Data were collected via an online survey using the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS) and the Macleod Clark Professional Identity Scale (MCPIS-9). Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation were used to analyze the data. Results: Total of 47 participants completed the survey. Significant positive correlations were found between professional identity and extrinsic motivation-identified regulation (Spearman’s rho = 0.495, p < 0.001). Conversely, a significant negative correlation was observed between professional identity and amotivation (Spearman’s rho = -0.524, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses identified that neither gender, level of study, past experience, nor having relatives in healthcare significantly predicted professional identity scores. Conclusions: This study underscores the importance of fostering a strong professional identity in paramedic students to enhance their academic motivation. Educational strategies that support professional identity development could lead to more motivated and better-prepared healthcare professionals. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these relationships and to develop targeted interventions that can be implemented across educational settings.15 0Item Restricted THE INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP STYLE ON INNOVATION: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF JOB SATISFACTION IN SAUDI HOSPITALS IN RIYADH(LINCOLN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, 2024-08) Almughim, Tareq Mohamed; Abdulsamad, AkramThe study goal of this study is to examine the influence of direct empirical relationship between leadership styles, job satisfaction and innovation. In addition, this study examined the mediating role of job satisfaction as a mediator in the relationship between leadership styles dimensions (transformational leadership, transactional leadership, organizational commitment, laissez faire leadership) and innovation in Saudi healthcare. The PLS path coefficient showed four (4) formulated direct and indirect hypotheses had a significant effect on job satisfaction and innovation among employees of healthcare in the Saudi Arabia. The study establishes that job satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between leadership styles and innovation, with high leadership styles having a strong positive influence on innovation and job satisfaction in Saudi hospitals. Thus, leadership styles, such as transformational leadership, transactional leadership, organizational commitment, laissez faire leadership all contribute to job satisfaction and services and PIN in Saudi hospitals. Furthermore, the findings contribute to the ongoing discourse about the importance of job satisfaction by examining the distinctive mediating effect of leadership styles on innovation among employees of healthcare in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the results of this study indicate that hospitals leaders, policymakers, and government organization officials must understand the reasons why employees of healthcare in Saudi Arabia have job dissatisfaction. Finally, the study gives insights into the state of leadership styles in Saudi hospitals and its impact on job satisfaction and innovation among Saudi healthcare and provides points of reference for academics, practitioners, and policymakers.10 0Item Restricted MSc Dissertation Report(Sheffield Hallam University, 2024-09-05) Alghamdi, Ali; Shobayo, OlamilekanThe present study assesses how Big Data technology has affected healthcare with regard to telemedicine and demographic disparities among Medicare beneficiaries. This research has discovered large demographic variations in the use of telehealth across many demographic variables, alluding to the fact that it is oriented toward women, urban residents, and non-Hispanic whites more than their counterparts. It is demographic insight that allows one to understand the need for targeted interventions to close the gap in telehealth access and use. Among the important recommendations based on the findings are those that aim at improving the enhancement of digital literacy and access among older adults. This is attained through the development of user-friendly telehealth platforms, community-based training in telehealth, and support systems made up of family members and caregivers. It is also critical to invest more in broadband infrastructure, alter policies for reimbursement parity, and implement mobile health units across rural areas in order to reduce the urban-rural disparities with regard to telehealth usage. This involves the promotion of gender-inclusive strategies, mainly through the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities related to telehealth adoption. The techniques in achieving this include targeted outreach programs, training of healthcare providers to promote the use of telehealth in men with prostate cancer, and culturally competent programs that have the capacity to take care of various racial and ethnic groups. Further monitoring and richer data analysis may continue to shed light on the barriers to telehealth use across demographic groups, further ensuring there is equal access to care.12 0Item Restricted Referral Pathway to Domestic Violence and Abuse Agency for patients in Healthcare - Scoping review.(Queen Mary University, 2024) Alshahri, Nouf; Coulthard, PaulBackground: Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) present significant public health and medical challenges globally, leading to severe morbidity and disability among women. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in identifying and referring DVA victims to appropriate services. Despite this, research on effective DVA referral pathways remains limited, highlighting a critical gap in healthcare systems. Aims: This study examines referral pathways for DVA patients within healthcare settings, focusing on the role of healthcare practitioners. The study aims to establish effective referral and care pathways by identifying best practices and emphasizing ongoing professional training to enhance detection rates and improve referrals to specialized care. This approach may reduce future violence and enhance the well-being of victims. Methods: A scoping review was conducted, involving an electronic search of databases such as EMBASE, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and CINAHL, covering literature from June 2010 to January 2023. The review specifically targeted studies related to healthcare practitioners' roles in DVA referrals. Results: Out of 214 articles screened, 40 studies met the inclusion criteria and were critically appraised for quality. These studies, which include both qualitative and heterogeneous research, underscore the importance of effective DVA referral pathways in healthcare. They also highlight the need for more research on cultural sensitivity, under-explored medical areas, and the improvement of support systems for DVA victims. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for ongoing professional training, empathy, and collaboration among healthcare providers, agencies, and support organizations to foster a comprehensive global response to DVA. Current research often focuses on individual components of the referral process, such as screening tools or initial referral steps, rather than examining the entire pathway.13 0Item Restricted Equity in Health: Analysing the Accessibility of Australia's Tertiary Public and Private Healthcare(The University of Western Australia, 2026-01-01) azeem, Mazen Ba; Kruger, Estie; Tennant, MarcThis thesis undertakes an exhaustive analysis of tertiary healthcare accessibility in Australia, juxtaposing public and private sector distribution against the backdrop of the socio-economic landscape. It critically assesses healthcare services availability, particularly during the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study employs geospatial analysis and GIS mapping to evaluate the socioeconomic status of the population residing near the facilities, location and accessibility of Emergency Departments (EDs) in tertiary public and private healthcare facilities across the country and explore their readiness in the face of potential pandemics. The socio-economic variables within different buffer zones are scrutinised to reveal the impact on healthcare access during the health crisis. By integrating Australian experiences during COVID-19, the research highlights the variances in healthcare accessibility, accentuating the strains on hospitals with EDs and the innovative implementation of field centres in high-density regions to counteract service gaps. The thesis also discusses the socioeconomic determinants that exacerbate disparities in healthcare provision, offering insights into the stratification of health equity. The findings suggest that, despite Australia's robust healthcare system, critical areas require strategic enhancement to ensure preparedness for future pandemics. Recommendations include the need to address healthcare inequalities and improve service accessibility in Australia’s urban, rural and remote areas, as well as the establishment of temporary healthcare facilities in strategically identified locations to bolster the resilience of healthcare infrastructure. The conclusions drawn herein provide a pathway for policymakers to fortify healthcare systems against the backdrop of socio-economic disparities, aiming for an equitable distribution of healthcare resources.33 0Item Restricted THE FUTURE OF HEALTH SYSTEMS: MULTIDISCIPLINARY HEALTHCARE TEAM COLLABORATION, TRAINING AND TRANSITION IN HEALTH SYSTEM(University of Newcastle, Australia, 2024) Alzahrani, Rami Hassan J; Boyle, BrendanThis thesis explores multidisciplinary healthcare team collaboration (MDHT) and the effectiveness of training as part of implementing an MDHT model. The governance of the MDHT model is analysed and studied as part of the transition of the health system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While existing scholarly research indicates that multidisciplinary healthcare teams can address complex healthcare problems and their use as integrated care grows, multidisciplinary teams do not necessarily perform effectively. Despite the potential of MDHT, existing scholarship warns that multidisciplinary teams may experience barriers to collaboration and knowledge sharing; hence, a research problem is established. Following a systematic review of the relevant literature to identify a research gap, this study deploys a qualitative methodology consistent with an interpretive paradigm to explore MDHT collaboration and the effectiveness of training in enhancing the transition to the MDHT model in the Saudi Health System. Interpretivist study must achieve an understanding incorporating the participants’ views, giving prominence to the research participants' subjective experiences of the transition towards an MDHT model. Consistent with this approach, novel quantitative insights into barriers and enablers that can account for and enhance MDHT collaboration were gained based on the experience of health professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The thesis also illuminates the lacuna of research evaluating the effectiveness of the training provided to MDHTs and offers novel insights into the effectiveness of training in supporting the MDHT model. In-depth insights into the shortcomings of training interventions relative to participant needs are gained, and in doing so, a unique evaluation of training relevance and utility in the MDHT context is provided. Finally, a significant practical contribution is made to those seeking to transition the Saudi Health care system to the use of MDHT teams. The importance of the supporting pillars of digitisation and privatisation are considered, with the former assessed by its contribution to facilitating efficient and effective knowledge sharing across the MDHT. The findings related to the governance of MDHT warn hospital administrators and policymakers of the importance of clear and consistent approaches to MDHT use as a form of integrated care and clear and consistent policy and practice guidelines for MDHT governance.15 0Item Restricted ENABLING THIRD PLACES OF HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS IN THE POST PANDEMIC ERA(University of Florida, 2024-05-12) Alfowzan, Nurah; Valipoor, Shabboo; Portillo, MargaretThird places refer to communal venues that facilitate social engagement and community cohesion, bridging the gap between home and work environments. These locales encompass diverse settings like coffee shops, libraries, and parks. Today, third places have evolved to accommodate various contexts, offering advantages to specific user groups. Within healthcare environments, merged third places (e.g., lobbies; gardens; cafes; staff lounges; and staff breakrooms) are distinct from psychologically hard clinical settings. Research shows that these in-between spaces are vital in enhancing social support, reducing stress, and promoting the overall well-being of healthcare workers. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of these in-between spaces became significantly restricted to mitigate virus transmission. This research aimed to redefine third places in healthcare design, and advance interior design approaches that can balance social interaction and infection-prevention requirements. The study adopted a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design. The initial phase involved a comprehensive scoping review, mapping key design concepts that shape our built environments and human experiences through times of disease outbreaks. Subsequently, semi-structured interviews were conducted with design experts specializing in healthcare projects, exploring the challenges they faced, and the strategies employed to adapt healthcare spaces, particularly third places, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings from the scoping review and interviews yielded multiple design approaches with the potential to enhance the resilience of third places within healthcare environments. Three of these approaches aligned with attributes of flexibility. To delve deeper into these attributes, the following phase of the research involved a design charrette. This collaborative session engaged senior interior design students to generate innovative ideas for social spaces within healthcare environments. Design scenarios incorporating flexibility attributes were developed, refined, and integrated into the final research phase: a survey. The survey aimed to assess the perceived social support of healthcare workers in the design scenarios informed by prior phases. Results showed an inclination of users towards versatile third places that feature indoor-outdoor options. The outcomes can inform the creation of safe third places within healthcare facilities. Facilitating social support while ensuring safety in these environments can contribute to the overall well-being of individuals in healthcare settings.8 0Item Restricted Investigating Factors Influencing Blockchain Adoption in Saudi Healthcare Data Management(Florida Institute of Technology, 2024-05-15) Alkhalifah, Noura; Slhoub, KhaledBlockchain technology can potentially address security and privacy issues concerning the collection, storage, and sharing of healthcare data. However, its adoption within the healthcare sector is nascent in Saudi Arabia. This underutilization prompted our investigation into the determinants influencing blockchain adoption, intending to fully empower the Saudi healthcare sector to leverage blockchain capabilities. To achieve this, an extensive literature review was conducted to identify the pivotal factors encompassing technology, organization, and environment (TOE) that affect the successful implementation of blockchain technologies in managing healthcare data within the Saudi context. Utilizing the TOE framework, this study formulated three hypotheses concerning the adoption of blockchain technology. Subsequently, a quantitative analysis was undertaken through an online survey distributed among healthcare organizations in Saudi Arabia. We obtained responses from 129 valid ques- tionnaires and employed a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) for analysis and hypothesis testing. The results show that technological and organizational factors significantly influence the adoption of blockchains, whereas environmental factors have no significance. This study contributes significantly to bridging a critical gap in the academic literature by clarifying the factors influencing blockchain adoption in healthcare data management in Saudi Arabia. Our findings serve as valuable guidelines for decision-makers contemplating the adoption of blockchain technology in healthcare data management, thus facilitating the effective navigation of associated challenges.19 0