Digital Health Integration in Saudi Arabia: Implications for Nursing Practice, Hospital Management, and Dental Care Under Vision 2030

Abstract

Saudi Arabia's healthcare system is undergoing a significant transformation as part of the Vision 2030 national agenda, which aims to improve the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of healthcare services. Digital health technologies, such as electronic health records, telemedicine, and mobile health applications, are playing a crucial role in this transformation. This paper reviews the current literature on digital health integration in Saudi Arabia and its implications for nursing practice, hospital management, and dental care under Vision 2030. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted for studies published between 2018 and 2024, using keywords such as "digital health," "e-health," "nursing," "hospital management," "dental care," and "Saudi Arabia." A total of 28 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The findings suggest that digital health technologies are being increasingly adopted in Saudi Arabia, but their implementation faces various challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, workforce shortages, and resistance to change. The implications for nursing practice include the need for digital health competencies, interprofessional collaboration, and patient-centered care. Hospital management implications include the need for strategic planning, change management, and data-driven decision-making. Dental care implications include the potential for teledentistry, digital imaging, and patient education. The review highlights the need for further research to evaluate the impact of digital health integration on healthcare outcomes, costs, and patient satisfaction in Saudi Arabia, and to identify best practices for its implementation and sustainability.