Examining Progress of Saudi Arabia Healthcare System in terms of Implementation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Healthcare Outcomes Enhancement
Abstract
Abstract: Aim: The aim of the research is to examine the progress made by the healthcare system of Saudi Arabia in terms of the implementation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) so as to upgrade and advance healthcare outcomes. In doing so, the research has analysed the healthcare system of Saudi and compared it with a country that has an advanced healthcare system, the UK.
Method: The research has employed a critical synthesis methodology to subjectively investigate and critically analyse the healthcare system of Saudi Arabia and the UK with respect to the implementation of KPIs. In doing so, the research has combined the outcomes generated from multiple researches like peer-reviewed articles, industry reports and books that demonstrate the healthcare system of the UK and Saudi Arabia. Inclusion and exclusion criteria technique has been used to obtain the most relevant and appropriate information. This information is then used for the purpose of generating new knowledge regarding the topic which is being investigated. A total of 24 papers are extracted from different databases and thematic analysis technique is used for data analysis. Furthermore, based on the suitability of the selected research method, interpretivism philosophy and inductive reasoning have been used in the study to make logical interpretations and achieve widely pertinent outcomes.
Findings: The study found that the healthcare system of Saudi Arabia is consistently improving its mechanism and service delivery processes by integrating quality improvement centred training programmes and encouraging participation of the private sector to enhance healthcare outcomes. The country recently included new KPIs, such as complete quality assurance, higher control on training sessions and pacing up with international healthcare quality standards under Ada’s healthcare programme and National Transformation Plan, for addressing challenges of overcrowding in emergency rooms and shortage of skilled staff. The UK healthcare sector, which is patient-centric and gives high priority to quality and safety of patients in addition to benchmarking, performance measurement as well as facility assessment system, serves as reference for the Saudi Arabian system in its path to improve healthcare outcomes. It is found that Saudi Arabia is making sincere attempts to boost its healthcare system as it is evident from its plan to introduce free medical services for certain diseases like in the UK. However, enormous quality improvement scope is still apparent in the healthcare domain of Saudi for which it can consider the KPIs established by the UK, such as Quality and Outcome Framework and robust infrastructure by making higher expenditure on workforce development, digital transformation and alignment of healthcare facilities with cultural facets.
Implications: The healthcare management authorities, institutions and professionals in Saudi Arabia can use the study to gain insights into the advanced initiatives that have been taken in the UK to strengthen the healthcare network and service outcomes.
Keywords: Healthcare outcomes, KPIs, the UK healthcare system, Saudi healthcare system