The Patient Reported Indicators Survey (PaRIS) in Saudi Arabia: Measuring Patient Reported Outcomes and Experiences in Adults Aged 18-44

Abstract

Chronic diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, placing a significant burden on healthcare systems. While chronic disease management has traditionally focused on older populations, younger adults are increasingly affected by chronic conditions due to demographic shifts and lifestyle effects, yet their healthcare needs remain underexplored. This dissertation expands the implementation of the OECD’s Patient Reported Indicators Survey (PaRIS) in Saudi Arabia to assess patient reported outcomes (PROMs) and patient reported experiences (PREMs) among adults aged 18-44 with chronic conditions. The study aims to fill a critical gap in understanding how young adults experience chronic disease management within primary care and how provider characteristics and sociodemographic factors influence their outcomes and experiences. A cross-sectional survey of 7,500 patients was conducted using a validated, standardized methodology aligned with the OECD PaRIS framework. Analysis was performed to examine the relationship between key provider characteristics, and sociodemographic factors and patient reported measures, in addition to comparing PROMs and PREMs between patients with and without chronic conditions, as well as between younger and older patients. Findings indicate that having chronic diseases was the main contributing factor to worse outcomes and experiences. Health outcomes were particularly impacted, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to support younger patients. Socioeconomic and demographic disparities were evident, with women and lower-income individuals reporting poorer experiences and outcomes. Additionally, provider sector significantly influenced patient experiences, with private sector patients reporting better care coordination and person-centered care, while public sector patients demonstrated stronger mental health outcomes. Insufficiencies were found in Electronic Medical Records and virtual consultations. Analysis showed that younger adults had generally better outcomes but worse experiences of care. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening primary care models to be more responsive to the needs of younger adults with chronic conditions. Policy recommendations include expanding digital health solutions, integrating person-centered care approaches, improving care coordination, and addressing equity gaps in healthcare access. By incorporating patient-reported measures into routine healthcare evaluation, this study contributes to Saudi Arabia’s transition towards a value-based healthcare system and provides actionable insights for optimizing primary care delivery for younger adults managing chronic diseases.