Design of Digital Healthcare Strategies for Managing Quality of Healthcare in the Gulf Region

Abstract

The Gulf region is currently experiencing a significant transformation in its healthcare sector due to the integration of digital technologies aimed at improving the quality of healthcare services. This study investigates the development of digital healthcare strategies in Gulf nations, emphasizing their capacity to enhance healthcare quality, adhere to international healthcare standards, and tackle various challenges and opportunities. Drawing on a wide range of literature from diverse fields, the research explores the impact of emerging digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), telehealth, and data analytics on reshaping healthcare provision. While recognizing the substantial potential of digital healthcare, the paper also examines obstacles such as regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity risks, and reluctance to embrace technological advancements. It emphasizes the significance of collaborative endeavors, patient-centric approaches, and ongoing innovation to fully leverage the transformative possibilities of digital healthcare in the Gulf region. The findings present valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare practitioners, scholars, and investors, emphasizing the importance of concerted efforts to utilize digital technologies effectively in improving healthcare standards and patient outcomes across Gulf countries.

Keywords: Digital design, digital healthcare, Gulf countries, technologies, care quality.

Introduction

Healthcare systems worldwide need actionable and transparent systems to foster effectiveness and quality of services (Alsswey et al., 2021). In global healthcare organizations, digital technologies are transforming the entire landscape to enable healthcare providers to improve the quality of healthcare services (Mitchell & Kan, 2019). Healthcare organizations and professionals in the Gulf are keen to adapt to new opportunities to mitigate challenges and take advantage of innovative technologies (Al-Samarraie et al., 2020). For example, several advanced countries such as Singapore, South Korea, and Germany have transformed the quality of their healthcare services through robust implementation and utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructures (Awad et al., 2021). Gulf countries and nations are also paving the way to mobilize efforts toward establishing the best practices to transform their systems into “digital models.” For example, according to Benis (2021), in the United Arab Emirates, the digital journey of the Public Sector has led to the establishment of smart cities and innovative patient care strategies involving digital healthcare. In Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, the importance of digital design of healthcare has been gaining significant prominence to improve the quality of healthcare organizations and solutions (Katoue et al., 2022). Therefore, the sole purpose of designing digital healthcare practices and strategies in Gulf countries is to accelerate economic and social well-being by promoting sustainability.

The World Health Assembly (WHA) passed its framework of WHA58.28 in 2005 to focus efforts on electronic health systems in the Gulf to focus on systems to improve information infrastructure (Cardoso et al., 2023).  The role of digital healthcare design is crucial for promoting equitable availability of healthcare facilities. Therefore, many Gulf countries are urging their digital healthcare strategy to abide by the United Nations General Assembly’s resolutions (Fernandez-Luque et al., 2021). These initiatives and resolutions are paving the way for forging the e-health vision of Gulf countries to meet the healthcare aspirations and needs of citizens. Hence, crafting an effective digital healthcare system in the Gulf comprises a robust model for monitoring and assessing electronic health adoption policies to improve the well-being of citizens.

Moreover, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the World Health Organization underscores the transformative potential of information and communications technology (ICT) and global interconnectedness in advancing human progress (Ghazal et al., 2022). General Assembly’s guidance emphasizes the role of technology in revolutionizing healthcare provision in middle-progressed to advanced countries to improve healthcare standards (Moerenhout et al., 2018). There is a greater consensus of the health community in the Gulf on strategic innovation and incorporation of digital tools to improve emergency preparedness. However, many critics argue that the digital design of healthcare has a disruptive nature due to the non-perfection of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) (Bublitz et al., 2019). Many researchers claim and believe that the incorporation of these technologies facilitates enhanced medical diagnostics, data-driven decisions, and remote patient monitoring. Therefore, using evidence-based literature confirms that Gulf nations require significant support to develop and adopt a robust digital healthcare system that ethically and safely fosters equitable healthcare services to the masses. This research aims to answer the following research questions:

1.     What role digital technologies can play in Gulf countries to enhance the quality of healthcare services?

2.     What strategies and innovative steps Gulf countries can take to align with the United Nation’s healthcare guidelines to influence the design of digital healthcare systems positively?

3.     What are the Challenges and opportunities of digital healthcare design and technologies in the Gulf healthcare system to ensure the well-being of citizens?

What is Digital Design or Digital Healthcare Strategy?

Digital Transformation is primarily about strategy supported by technology (Schwertner, 2017). It requires a focus on developing needed capabilities such as skills, culture, and leadership. As usual, in both advanced and middle-income countries, governments are often acting at the forefront of the technological transformation of healthcare sectors in India, China, Singapore, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai (Godinho et al., 2021).  This dimension underpins the vitality of Gulf countries to use innovative technologies such as blockchain, AI, and IoT to serve as digital enablers for healthcare professionals to improve citizens’ well-being (Shaer et al., 2023). In GCC countries, the agenda of governments is to utilize the “Government 4.0” strategy to harness the power of cutting-edge technologies to improve service delivery mechanisms (Gunasekeran et al., 2021). Hence, the next generation of care will comprise the use of modern technologies to enable healthcare accessibility everywhere at a low cost. Moreover, the digital design of healthcare will ensure real-time health checks, fast diagnoses, and improved patient experiences through readily available emergency services.

Significance of Digital Healthcare Strategies in the Gulf Region

Healthcare improvement remains a foremost goal of the GCC governments (Braithwaite et al., 2015). Since many patients have been struggling due to widespread illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular issues, offering quality yet affordable healthcare facilities has become a priority for governments in recent years (Godman et al., 2020). The design of digital healthcare provision in Gulf countries comprises technological intervention that not only improves citizens’ lives but also impacts the dynamics of the healthcare workforce such as nurses and physicians (Khoja et al., 2017). In reaction, this goal of digital innovation has stimulated growth in the healthcare sector which also impacts the economic development of these countries. For example,  Hakmeh  (2017) explains that GCC governments are planning to foster next-gen care initiatives to attract quality healthcare professionals from global locations to improve their systems. These next-gen care services have been categorized into four streams including virtual and mobile health services, online preventative health services, the development of national e-health systems, and health-tech innovation.

These four digital healthcare initiatives reveal that mobile health services are aimed at enabling patients in GCC countries to access quality care facilities using their virtual, online devices such as mobile phones and tablets. Moreover, the purpose of online preventative health goes beyond creating digital awareness in citizens of Gulf countries to encourage online health checks and adopt positive lifestyles (Jayaraman et al., 2020). Moreover, the importance of national e-health systems goes beyond creating the national electronic medical records system. This innovation in Gulf countries ensures the integration of national health systems with innovative technologies and infrastructures. Moreover, innovation is the key to digital healthcare design in the GCC realm which focuses on engaging in research and development (R&D) to foster technology-based innovative solutions (Kouroubali & Katehakis, 2022). For example, the initiative called “Dubai 100” is planned as a unique 100-day initiative to encourage the acceleration of digital health startups in Dubai.

Similarly, the MiSK foundation from Saudi Arabia organized the first-ever hackathon between the UK and Saudi Arabia. The goal was to create technology solutions for the toughest health and medical issues globally. With these innovative digital initiatives, the governments are looking to transform the care quality and system in GCC countries in the next five years to sustain strong ICT investments (Mbunge, 2021). Moreover, the development and adoption of these next-gen care solutions will play a pivotal role in catering to the national e-health vision of GCC countries. For example, experts are predicting that in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) healthcare industry, the investment will double in 2020 within five years from US$40 billion to US$71 billion (Parums, 2021). This represents an unparalleled vision of MENA governments that follows the GCC vision of ICT innovation to transform the digital health sector. Therefore, more R&D in this sector will give prominence to new and improved healthcare solutions never before used in Gulf countries. 

Furthermore, the study by Scott (2020) and Sarbadhikari (2023) provides a consensus that in GCC countries, the importance of designing digital healthcare systems is crucial to addressing the health disparities and needs of citizens. Governments in the GCC are leveraging the level of digital health systems through several initiatives to improve people’s well-being and affect the dynamics of the healthcare workforce (Mani & Goniewicz, 2024). This shows that these next-gen care solutions will not only help to attain global doctors and nurses to foster the growth of this sector but will also increase the collaboration of talented professionals to further advance the healthcare system. Hence, such efforts will help these countries to achieve their ICT transformation vision to meet the healthcare needs of broader communities and deliver a promise of hope and social welfare (Senbekov et al, 2020).

The Role of Emerging Digital Technologies and their Design in improving healthcare Quality

 Studies reveal that a diverse range of actors such as multinational organizations and startups in countries like the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain have joined partnerships to revolutionize the entire digital healthcare landscape (Sharfi, 2021). Moreover, some prominent corporations include GE Healthcare, Epic Systems, and Philips Healthcare, taking a significant interest in the development and adoption of telemedicine, telehealth, mHealth apps, electronic medical health records (EMR), and data analytics (Snäll, 2022). For example, in the case of the UAE, the government has planned to invest almost USD 987.6 million by 2029 in AI to improve the digital design of the healthcare industry. In Saudi Arabia, the plan is to invest more in robust tools such as AI, IoT, virtual/augmented reality, and cloud computing to innovate this sector.

Telehealth: The emergence of telehealth has become a game-changer in the United States, the UK, and Germany to offer patients powerful access to quality care services without visiting physical hospitals (King, 2017).  In GCC countries, urban areas are rapidly experiencing the use of telehealth in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes to reduce the gap between patients and medical professionals, and psychotherapists (groom et al., 2021). Hence, in remote locations where elderly patients are unable to visit hospitals, telehealth is leveraging virtual consultations with specialists who offer them the best medical solution to deal with chronic illnesses (Solomon and Rudin, 2020).

Data Analytics: Since data has become a lifeblood of medical businesses to improve the quality of care (Rabah, 2018).  Gulf countries are investing significantly in advanced data analytics platforms to unleash the power of data-driven insights to make viable and feasible decisions (Alahmari et al., 2023). For example, big data analytics incorporation in healthcare organizations is helping doctors and surgeons to diagnose illnesses and offer personalized treatments to meet patients’ diverse needs. Besides, policymakers are also benefitting from analytics-based population health management tools to make wise choices and provide resources efficiently to optimize their influence (Sulthan et al., 2023).

Incorporation of IoT and AI: Digital tools such as AI and IoT are helping GCC countries to revolutionize the industry by offering the power to healthcare professionals to enhance their predictive capabilities (Navaz et al., 2021). Moreover, by using IoT and other wearable devices, doctors are helping doctors to improve health outcomes and reduce their healthcare expenses.

 mHealth Apps: Mobile health applications play a crucial role in the healthcare sector by offering robust tools to doctors and patients (Silva et al., 2015). These include using smartphones, wearables, tablets, software, and other tools to enhance wellness. Health apps offer diverse capabilities for monitoring and tracking the wellness information of patients as well as their physical habits. This helps to improve their diet, sleep habits, and vital signs (Thapa et al., 2021). Telemedicine: Telemedicine ranks as an innovative addition to the healthcare industry in GCC countries to empower healthcare providers to offer video consultants and utilize text messaging capabilities to foster virtual services. Telemedicine has a useful tool to help manage patients’ stress and save sensitive patients’ data and medical history (Wang et al., 2021).

Cloud Computing: Cloud computing stands as the most innovative and cost-effective solution for global healthcare providers to offer secure access to medical records. The design of cloud computing ensures seamless data movement using software as a service (SaaS) to streamline clinical efforts.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): In the UAE and Gulf, solutions related to AR and VR are significantly transforming healthcare organizations in terms of product development, medical training, marketing, surgical decisions, and patient awareness (Hujran et al., 2023). The digital design of AR and VR incorporates medical imaging technologies to empower students and healthcare providers to help patients reduce pain and improve care outcomes (Waqas, 2021).

Challenges and Limitations of Digital Healthcare Technology Adoption

Regulatory Landscape: Mitigating the regulatory framework of GCC countries is difficult and requires policymakers to plan powerful laws to ensure the security of information and cybersecurity threats.  Waqas (2021) argues that regulatory policies are not yet perfect in global regions to ensure imputable data security to cultivate the assurance, belief, and faith of citizens. Hence, adherence to cybersecurity regulations is difficult without the establishment of effective and strong laws.

Cybersecurity Flaws: Moreover,  Yasmin (2022) argues that healthcare digital design is prone to several cybersecurity threats. For example, information infringement and illegitimate access to vital medical data is a significant risk for healthcare providers and administrators. There is a need to reinforce flawless cybersecurity mechanisms and security tools to improve patients’ loyalty to digital designs and technologies. 

Positively, healthcare teams and research scientists are constantly working on mitigating some threats offered by digital designs and technologies. This strategy includes incorporating powerful cybersecurity mechanisms across all digital healthcare systems, securing routers and other networking devices, and ensuring robust encryption mechanisms to safeguard patients’ data (Benis et al., 2021). Moreover, in GCC countries, governments have been improving regulatory frameworks and standards to ensure better safety of sensitive information. By ensuring the stakeholders' joint efforts, resilient guidelines, and standards are being developed to incorporate robust digital devices in the healthcare industry.

Resistance to Change and Technology Readiness:  Another significant challenge remains the ungreediness of employees in healthcare organizations to accept technology and its successful adoption. Even though Saudi Arabia plans to establish medical facilities worth $13.8 billion by 2030, it requires a great deal of investment in the training and education of employees to gain significant IT skills to enhance their digital literacy, technical expertise, and digital literacy (Awad et al. 2021).  

Discussion   

This paper aims to investigate the importance of the design of digital technologies in improving the healthcare sector of Gulf countries. The examination of digital design and its impact on Gulf countries’ healthcare sector has been investigated by several scholars who claim technology is a drive for innovation and healthcare transformation (Alsswey et al., 2021). The analysis of the literature revealed many important insights to understand the game-changing impact and paradigm-shifting potential of digital healthcare along with notable challenges.

As Alshahrani (2021) discusses the UAE, the KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain are actively planning and investing in digital healthcare design to improve care quality for patients, however, it has been argued that Gulf countries need robust planning to mitigate emerging challenges regarding technological incorporation to ensure the safety of information. However, the study by Al-Roubaie (2018) also argues against this affirmation by asserting that the digital design of healthcare by using cutting-edge and complex technologies can create inequalities. This is because not all rural patients compared to urban citizens in the Gulf have access to technologies due to limited development in certain areas. Hence, these digital designs can deprive marginalized groups and communities of lacking availability of the Internet. Therefore, it is crucial to address this challenge and focus on fair distribution of technological resources first to meet the digital healthcare needs of populations.

Another study discussed in the literature asserts the incorporation of digital design of healthcare that can empower nations to attain their care quality objectives and targets through the incorporation of AI, IoT, and AR, etc. IoT (Alodhayani et al., 2021). This aligns with the research question that concerns the function and effectiveness of digital tools in improving the quality of care in GCC countries. The analysis of the literature shows that the digital design of medical services in many Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia can help professionals to avail promising resolutions for enhancing patient care outcomes. This claim is again backed by the study published by  Al-Khouri (2014) who argues that telehealth helps healthcare providers to optimize their care delivery mechanisms and foster accurate diagnosis and treatment through digital smartphones and tablets. This digital solution can revolutionize the way providers handle personalized treatments for remote patients in Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, the study by Alkhaledi (2020) answers the question related to adhering to the UN’s healthcare goals and recommendations to improve the design of healthcare solutions in Gulf regions. This study focuses on the importance of state-sponsored programs and global partnerships in forming the design of the digital healthcare realm of GCC countries. The study asserts the importance of aligning with international quality standards in utilizing the best methods to improve healthcare operations such as diagnosis, consultation, and treatment in Gulf regions with creativity and resilience. Another author critically acclaims the use of telemedicine and remote patient monitoring RPM as a vital ingredient of fostering resilience in healthcare operations (Al-Kahtani et al., 2021). However, the same author also argues that this requires significant improvement in GCC healthcare infrastructures to ensure equal access to high-quality healthcare for everyone.

The research question regarding the opportunities and challenges of this digital design of healthcare systems in Gulf countries is answered by Alghamdi (2021) and Alhodaib & Alanzi    (2021). These studies suggest analyzing major challenges and key opportunities in Gulf countries that hinder and leverage the use of technologies such as regulatory intricacies, cybersecurity threats, lack of technological awareness, and workforce preparedness challenges. However, Albahli (2020) finally infers that the digital design of the healthcare system has a significant potential to transform the whole industry or sector in Gulf countries. Therefore, the results of these studies conclude that technology has a revolutionary influence on the quality of care in GCC countries by surging innovation, flexibility, and collaboration. However, it also throws challenges for Gulf leaders to place their infrastructure and knowledge where they can prepare the ground for a more quality-focused and robust future.

This study conducted through relevant literature aligns with scholars’ viewpoints who advocate for the incorporation of digital healthcare design in Gulf countries. More scholars have a consensus over its utilization and implementation to improve care quality outcomes. However, Al-Anezi  (2020) also debated that it is crucial to recognize the limitations of digital design in the healthcare system to improve care quality because the technology is far from being perfect and creates loopholes for administrators to provide prompt and reliable digital healthcare services to all patients in Gulf countries. Hence, the analysis of secondary sources reveals that in dynamic healthcare organizations, more robust research is required from future researchers using mixed methodology or qualitative designs to thoroughly understand the intricate relationship between technology implementation and health improvement in GCC regions (Alanazi & Gay, 2022).

Practical and Theoretical Implications

This particular research on digital healthcare design of Gulf countries has crucial implications for policy individuals, medical professionals, nurses, researchers, and investors. This study suggests the implementation of robust technological tools in the healthcare industry of the Gulf. The arguments and claims of different research scholars can impact the decisions of policymakers in Gulf countries to make data-driven and comprehensive choices. This study helps policy formulators and leaders to make rational choices regarding forging investment in infrastructure and training personnel to enhance the sustainable evolution of the current healthcare design (Al Knawy et al., 2022).

The theoretical standpoint discusses the rapid advancement of digital healthcare design’s implementation in Gulf countries to improve care strategies and outcomes for healthcare professionals. The study suggests that the healthcare industry can flourish and thrive with technological empowerment that advances the quality of care for patients. Hence, by the combining perspectives of several scholars through relevant literature, this study sheds light on critical challenges and promising opportunities for professionals and policymakers. Therefore, the contribution of this study can help future researchers to design robust frameworks related to the implementation of digital healthcare design in Gulf countries and worldwide. 

Conclusion and Recommendations

The following recommendations are crucial for policymakers and healthcare leaders in Gulf countries to enhance their outcomes related to digital healthcare design implementation: Bottom of Form

Fostering Collaborative Relationships: In Gulf countries, fostering partnerships is the key to harnessing the immense power of digital design of healthcare systems. Healthcare organizations, policymakers, regulatory personnel, and vendors should exchange successful methods, tackle challenges such as resistance to change, and seamlessly collaborate to improve technological incorporation (Al Knawy et al., 2020).

Patient-Focused Strategies: Healthcare professionals in GCC countries should place customers at the forefront of their services to improve patients’ trust and contentment. Focusing sharply on using digital design to create effective treatment mechanisms can drive satisfaction (Aidrous et al., 2021). Moreover, the design of software should be easy to understand and provide robust features and benefits to both providers and decision-makers. These steps can further empower healthcare providers and patients to effectively take part in care initiatives.

Perpetual and Continuous Learning and Innovation: Integrating digital health education into training and education serves as a key strategy to narrow the divide between conventional medical approaches and contemporary technology. While foundational medical knowledge remains essential, mastering the use of digital tools can markedly enhance the efficiency and efficacy of healthcare provision. However, this aspect is often overlooked in traditional medical education curricula.  There is a need to acquire this knowledge through practical experience and then pass it on to others. Given the wealth of resources and information available today, ensuring that all healthcare professionals receive training in digital health is crucial for optimizing its utility and enhancing its integration into medical practice (Ahmad et al., 2020). 

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