Bypassing of primary healthcare for emergency departments in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review
Background: Bypassing primary healthcare (PHC) services for emergency departments (EDs) is a critical issue in healthcare management, significantly impacting healthcare delivery and resource allocation. Objective: This systematic review aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing patie...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Belitung Raya Foundation
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Healthcare Administration |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.belitungraya.org/BRP/index.php/joha/article/view/3841 |
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| Summary: | Background: Bypassing primary healthcare (PHC) services for emergency departments (EDs) is a critical issue in healthcare management, significantly impacting healthcare delivery and resource allocation.
Objective: This systematic review aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing patients in Saudi Arabia to prefer EDs over PHC.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Emerald, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) to identify studies examining factors influencing PHC bypassing in Saudi Arabia. Both published and grey literature were included to ensure comprehensive coverage. A three-stage screening process was employed. The review identified 401 studies from database searches and 8 additional records from other sources, totaling 409 records. Following a thorough review, 22 studies were included in the final review. These studies, conducted between 2014 and 2024, utilized methodologies such as cross-sectional surveys, retrospective analyses, and qualitative research, focusing on healthcare-seeking behaviors in Saudi Arabia.
Results: The findings revealed that factors such as perceived urgency, accessibility, convenience, limited awareness of PHC services, and quality perceptions significantly drive patients toward EDs, often for non-urgent conditions. Sociodemographic factors, including age, education level, and income, further influence these decisions.
Conclusion: This study highlights the need for targeted strategies to address PHC bypassing, including improving patient education, enhancing PHC accessibility, and elevating service quality. The findings provide valuable insights for health policymakers aiming to optimize PHC utilization, reduce ED overcrowding, and strengthen the efficiency of the healthcare system in Saudi Arabia. |
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| ISSN: | 2830-3733 2830-3407 |