The Evolving Roles of Healthcare Support Staff in Digital Healthcare: A Qualitative Study of Medical Secretaries, Health Assistants, and Nursing Technicians in Hafr Al-Batin

Abstract

The increasing adoption of digital technologies in healthcare has led to significant changes in the roles and responsibilities of healthcare support staff. This qualitative study explores the evolving roles of medical secretaries, health assistants, and nursing technicians in the context of digital healthcare in Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants, including six medical secretaries, six health assistants, and six nursing technicians, to gain insights into their experiences, perceptions, and challenges related to the integration of digital technologies in their work. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed four main themes: (1) the impact of digital technologies on job roles and responsibilities, (2) the need for continuous learning and skill development, (3) the importance of effective communication and collaboration, and (4) the challenges of adapting to new technologies and workflows. The findings highlight the expanding roles of healthcare support staff in digital healthcare, which include data management, patient education, and technology troubleshooting, in addition to their traditional administrative and clinical support tasks. The study emphasizes the need for targeted training, interprofessional collaboration, and organizational support to enable healthcare support staff to effectively navigate the digital healthcare landscape and contribute to high-quality patient care.