Philips Future Health Index 2023 Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabian Healthcare Leaders are embracing technology, sustainability and partnerships for better care delivery

The Future Health Index 2023 Saudi Arabia report highlights three important focus areas for healthcare leaders that will help them enhance care delivery and increase efficiencies within their facilities:

Digital health technologies are emerging as the lynchpin to tackle staff shortages. With 63% of Saudi Arabian healthcare leaders using or planning to use digital health technologies, the future appears promising. Younger healthcare professionals also see the potential benefits, recognizing the potential of data portability, advanced diagnostics, and state-of-the-art AI solutions to improve their work satisfaction. Along with the adoption of advanced technology solutions, 46% of Saudi Arabian's healthcare leaders are forging partnerships with health technology companies, and an equal percentage are engaging with NGOs and charity organizations, to help reduce the impact of workforce shortages.

Saudi Arabian healthcare leaders are turning to technology, aiming to increase productivity and satisfaction among healthcare practitioners, as well as external partnerships. Alongside enhancing care delivery and increasing efficiencies, such investments play a crucial role in attracting and retaining talent.

In Saudi Arabia, the patient-centric paradigm is gaining momentum. Saudi Arabian healthcare leaders are championing this shift with a notable (30%) investment in new, more innovative technology. Further evidence of this trend comes from the consensus among healthcare leaders (57%) and younger healthcare professionals (56%), who believe in the transformative potential of new care delivery models, in that they’re likely to bring more affordable care or better value for money. These positive sentiments are further highlighted by 53% of all respondents combined responding that improved patient safety was a likely outcome of new care delivery models. A staggering (77%) of leaders are currently harnessing the power of AI, an increase from 46% in 2022, and 73% are offering a form of virtual care. Digital technologies, including AI, are also a key focus of the Kingdom’s Health Sector Transformation Program, setting a precedent for ongoing innovation. With an eye toward sustained progress, an impressive (96%) of healthcare leaders are poised to expand their investments in AI, up from 66% in 2022, ensuring that Saudi Arabia remains at the forefront of healthcare technology.

Sector collaboration continues to be a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s strategic plan for healthcare advancement. A notable (38%) of healthcare leaders are gearing up to forge partnerships with healthcare technology companies in the imminent future. Meanwhile, younger healthcare professionals would like their hospital/healthcare facility to build partnerships outside the conventional bounds of the healthcare sector in order to improve patient outcome.

Saudi Arabian healthcare leaders and younger healthcare professionals also signal an opportunity for wider ecosystem collaboration to overcome barriers to protecting the health of our planet. As environmental sustainability becomes a primary focus in healthcare, these leaders are employing specific strategies to navigate these challenges effectively. These include setting clear and ambitious sustainability targets while measuring progress (36%), recruiting more staff with specialized skills to advance these initiatives (36%), consulting or working with third parties to deliver or support sustainability programs (33%), and sharing best practice examples and learning from peers (32%).