Digital Health Integration in Radiological Screening Practices: Opportunities and Challenges for Technicians in Saudi Vision 2030

Abstract

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to transform the healthcare system through various initiatives, including the integration of digital health technologies in radiological screening practices. Radiology technicians play a crucial role in delivering these services and ensuring their effectiveness. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the evidence on the opportunities and challenges for radiology technicians in integrating digital health technologies in radiological screening practices in Saudi Arabia, in the context of Vision 2030. A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases was conducted for studies published between 2015 and 2024. A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach. The findings revealed that digital health technologies, such as artificial intelligence, teleradiology, and mobile health applications, offer various opportunities for radiology technicians to enhance screening accessibility, efficiency, and accuracy. However, several challenges were identified, including the lack of digital literacy and skills, resistance to change, data privacy and security concerns, and inadequate infrastructure and resources. The implications for practice and policy included the need for developing a national framework for the education, training, and certification of radiology technicians in digital health competencies, investing in technology and innovation to support screening practices, and promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement. The review highlights the importance of empowering radiology technicians to leverage digital health technologies in achieving the screening-related goals of Saudi Vision 2030.