Health care providers roles in home health care services in Saudi Arabia: A literature review

Abstract

Home health care (HHC) services in Saudi Arabia are rapidly expanding to address the growing needs of the aging population and individuals with chronic illnesses. This literature review aims to investigate the quality of HHC services and assess their reach within the Kingdom. The review synthesizes findings from studies on palliative care (PC) and HHC, focusing on nursing knowledge, family involvement, service utilization, and patient outcomes. Nurses and nursing students demonstrated low levels of knowledge about PC, highlighting the need for enhanced education and training. Family caregivers, primarily sons and daughters, played a central role in HHC, with home visits highly valued. However, PC services were underutilized, leading to prolonged hospital stays and aggressive end-of-life treatments. Cultural and linguistic challenges faced by the predominantly foreign nursing workforce may pose additional obstacles to PC implementation. The review also highlighted the emergence of HHC as a safe, cost-effective alternative to inpatient treatment for conditions such as cardiac rehabilitation and intravenous therapies. The findings emphasize the essential role of nursing in transitioning care from hospitals to homes. Future research should focus on developing targeted interventions to address knowledge gaps, strengthen the capacity of the PC nursing workforce, and explore the cultural dimensions of end-of-life care in Saudi Arabia.