Banning tobacco products sales to adolescents in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Background: Tobacco use poses a challenge to public health in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Although restricting access to tobacco can reduce consumption among adolescents, there is limited knowledge of how to implement the tobacco sales ban policy in the sub-region.

Aim: To assess implementation of the ban on tobacco products sales to adolescents in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries as recommended in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Patient satisfaction with Saudi community pharmacy services (Wasfaty System).

Introduction: The healthcare system in KSA has been substantially transformed as part of Vision 2030, including implementation of an electronic prescribing system, called Wasfaty, to enable patients to receive their prescriptions from community pharmacies (CPs). This study assessed patient satisfaction with CPs and the Wasfaty system.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study used existing data from the Saudi Ministry of Health's patient experience program.

Healthcare Providers' Experience with Saudi Arabia's 937 Virtual Medical Call Centers and Telehealth.

Introduction: This cross-sectional descriptive study evaluates the experiences and perceptions of healthcare providers (HCPs) regarding the 937 medical call center in Saudi Arabia, a key telemedicine initiative.

Aim:  To assess HCP satisfaction, identify challenges, and provide recommendations for improvement.

Methods: Conducted from November 20th to December 15th, 2022, the study surveyed 454 HCPs, achieving a 90.

Patient Satisfaction with Private Community Pharmacies versus Pharmacies in Primary Health Care Centers in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Saudi Arabia has begun reforming its government-run health care system to increase efficiency and reduce costs. One effort is the adoption of an electronic prescribing system (Wasfaty) and outsourcing pharmaceutical services from government-run clinics to community pharmacies (CP). This study aims to compare satisfaction with pharmaceutical services offered in the two systems.

Makkah healthcare cluster response, challenges, and interventions during COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.

Background: The global COVID-19 crisis has underscored the critical role of effective decision-making in healthcare systems. Saudi Arabia has shown resilience by implementing comprehensive testing, tracing, and vaccination measures. Given the unique cultural and religious characteristics of Makkah, specific challenges have prompted efforts to uncover local pandemic responses.

The variation in preventable hospitalization in patients with type 2 diabetes in Kentucky before and after the Medicaid expansion.

Background: Hospitalizations are more resource intensive and expensive than outpatient care. Therefore, type 2 diabetes-related preventable hospitalization are a major topic of research efficiency in the healthcare system.

Objectives: Analyze county level variation in type 2 diabetes-related preventable hospitalization rates in Kentucky before the Medicaid expansion (2010-2013) and after the Medicaid expansion (2014-2017).

The assessment of readiness to change among head managers of primary healthcare centers in Makkah, KSA.

Background: KSA is currently undergoing significant changes in its healthcare system, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the role of primary healthcare centers (PHCs) to elevate patient experience and overall healthcare quality. At the forefront of this transformation are head managers in PHCs, who play a crucial role in implementing these changes effectively. The readiness of these managers is paramount to the successful execution of the envisioned transformation and the subsequent improvement of patient experience.

Factors Affecting the Length of Stay in the Intensive Care Unit among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to assess patient-related factors associated with the LOS among adults admitted to the ICU in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Health provided a cross-sectional dataset for 2021, which served as the data source for this study. The data included data on adults admitted to different ICUs at various hospitals.

Awareness and utilization of smoking cessation clinics in Saudi Arabia, findings from the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

Background: Tobacco use remains a leading cause of premature death. To combat tobacco use, the Ministry of Health (MOH) improved access to smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) by developing fixed SCCs and mobile SCCs, which move based on demand across locations. The goal of this study was to investigate awareness and utilization of SCCs among tobacco users in Saudi Arabia and the factors that influence their awareness and utilization.

Factors associated with the desire to quit tobacco smoking in Saudi Arabia: Evidence from the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

Introduction: Saudi Arabia is expected to witness a slight reduction in tobacco use. The Saudi government offers free-of-charge smoking cessation services. Yet, factors influencing the desire to quit smoking are not comprehensively investigated in Saudi Arabia.