Assessing Knowledge, Confidence, and Communication Skills of Healthcare Students in Saudi Arabia Regarding the Risks and Benefits of E-Cigarettes and Vaping: Literature Review Using a Systematic Approach.

Abstract

Abstract Background: E-cigarette use poses a dual challenge, offering harm reduction potential but raising concerns over health risks and nicotine addiction. Healthcare students play a vital role in patient education, yet their preparedness to address vaping in Saudi Arabia remains underexplored. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, confidence, and communication skills of healthcare students in Saudi Arabia regarding e-cigarettes. It assesses their preparedness to educate patients in comparison to standard expectations of preparedness in healthcare education. Methods: This literature review adopts a systematic approach to synthesise evidence from previous studies. It involves the selection and analysis of nine cross-sectional studies focusing on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare students concerning e-cigarettes. The studies were critically appraised using the CASP tool to ensure validity and reliability. The findings were then categorised and analysed to identify gaps in knowledge, confidence levels, and the effectiveness of educational interventions. Results: The review identified significant knowledge gaps about e-cigarette risks and misconceptions regarding their efficacy as smoking cessation tools. Confidence levels in discussing e-cigarettes with patients were low, largely attributed to inadequate formal education. While some students reported gaining knowledge from personal experiences or informal sources like social media, this often perpetuated misinformation. A majority expressed a need for structured education to address these deficiencies. Conclusions: Healthcare students in Saudi Arabia are inadequately prepared to educate patients on e-cigarettes, primarily due to gaps in formal education. To enhance their readiness, it is recommended to integrate comprehensive, evidence-based training on e-cigarettes into healthcare curricula, emphasising hazards, cessation tools, and harm reduction strategies. Addressing these gaps is critical to improving public health outcomes related to vaping.