Addressing Healthcare Disparities Through Interprofessional Collaboration: The Contribution of Hospital and Health Services Management Specialists, Senior Health Administrators, Midwives, Dental Assistants, and Anesthesia Technicians in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Healthcare disparities remain a significant challenge in Saudi Arabia, despite the country's efforts to improve healthcare access and quality through its Vision 2030 strategic plan. Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has emerged as a promising approach to address these disparities by leveraging the complementary expertise and perspectives of different healthcare professionals. This systematic review explores the contributions of hospital and health services management specialists, senior health administrators, midwives, dental assistants, and anesthesia technicians in addressing healthcare disparities through IPC in Saudi Arabia. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using relevant databases, and 60 studies were included in the review. The findings highlight the potential of IPC in improving healthcare access, quality, and equity for underserved populations, such as rural communities, low-income families, and individuals with chronic diseases. The review also identifies the barriers and facilitators to IPC in Saudi Arabia, including organizational, professional, and cultural factors. Strategies for optimizing the contributions of the studied healthcare professionals in IPC are discussed, such as workforce training, interprofessional education, and collaborative practice models. The review concludes with recommendations for future research, policy, and practice to support the successful implementation of IPC in Saudi Arabia's healthcare system and achieve the goals of Vision 2030.