LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY AND PATIENT ENGAGEMENT FOR SAFER CARE: VIEWS OF NURSES IN SAUDI ARABIA
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Abstract
Background: Patient safety is a critical priority in healthcare, and nurses play a vital role in ensuring safe and quality care. In Saudi Arabia, there is growing interest in leveraging technology and patient engagement to enhance patient safety. However, little is known about nurses' perspectives on these strategies. Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore the views of nurses in Saudi Arabia on leveraging technology and patient engagement for safer care. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 nurses from various healthcare settings in Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Four main themes emerged from the data: 1) Benefits of technology for patient safety, 2) Challenges of implementing technology, 3) Strategies for patient engagement, and 4) Barriers to patient engagement. Nurses recognized the potential of technologies such as electronic health records, computerized provider order entry, and barcode medication administration to reduce errors and improve communication. However, they also identified challenges such as technical issues, user resistance, and the need for training and support. Nurses emphasized the importance of educating, empowering and involving patients in their care to promote safety. Key patient engagement strategies included providing clear information, encouraging questions, and involving patients in care planning and decision-making. Barriers to engagement included language and literacy issues, cultural factors, and time constraints. Conclusions: Nurses in Saudi Arabia perceive technology and patient engagement as important strategies for enhancing patient safety, but also recognize challenges in implementing these approaches. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted effort including technical support, user training, workflow integration, and culturally-tailored patient education and engagement strategies. Policies and leadership support are also critical to promote a culture of safety and patient-centeredness.
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