MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO ENHANCING PATIENT CARE AND SAFETY IN SAUDI HEALTHCARE FACILITIES: INSIGHTS FROM NURSING, EMERGENCY MEDICINE, DENTISTRY, EPIDEMIOLOGY, AND ANESTHESIA
Main Article Content
Keywords
Multidisciplinary care; patient safety; Saudi healthcare; nursing; emergency medicine; anesthesia; dentistry; epidemiology; Vision 2030; integrated healthcare
Abstract
Background: Background: Patient safety remains a central priority for healthcare systems globally, and Saudi Arabia faces increasing demands for integrated care under Vision 2030. Despite various reforms, evidence on the impact of multidisciplinary integration on patient outcomes remains limited. Objective: To examine how collaboration among nursing, emergency medicine, dentistry, anesthesiology, and epidemiology improves patient care and safety in Saudi tertiary hospitals. Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted across five tertiary hospitals. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, observation checklists, hospital dashboards, and interviews. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and SmartPLS structural equation modeling (SEM) were used for analysis. Results: Among 390 participants, nursing and emergency medicine demonstrated the strongest contributions to patient safety outcomes. Multidisciplinary integration was significantly associated with lower medical error rates (β = -0.47, p < 0.001), reduced readmissions, and higher patient satisfaction (β = 0.63, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Multidisciplinary collaboration enhances patient outcomes and safety, particularly when structured protocols, effective communication, and evidence-based practices are embedded into care delivery. Findings provide actionable insights to align hospital strategies with Saudi Vision 2030 and strengthen patient-centered care models.
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