Barriers to research usage for Saudi Arabia's emergency medical technicians
 
Mohammed Wafi Saad Almadhi1*, Abdullah Rashid Hamad Aljahim2, Mohammed Ali Mohammed Alwadai3, Bilal Ali Zaid Alshehri4, Jabril Mohammed Ahmed Hakami5
1 Emergency Medical Specialist, Maternity And Children Hospital – Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Email: Malmadhi@moh.gov.sa
2 Emergency Medical Specialist, Abqaiq General Hospital, Saudi Arabia
3 Emergency Medical Specialist, King Fahad Specialist Hospital – Dammam, Saudi Arabia
4 Emergency Medical Specialist, Abqaiq General Hospital, Saudi Arabia
5 Emergency Medical Specialist, Abqaiq General Hospital, Saudi Arabia
Abstract - In Saudi Arabia, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) play a pivotal position in prehospital care, yet several obstacles obstruct their powerful usage of research findings. Despite the growing emphasis on evidence-based total exercise in healthcare, Saudi EMTs stumble upon multifaceted demanding situations hindering the uptake of studies of their clinical exercise. These hurdles encompass various domain names, which include confined access to updated research materials because of subscription charges and language boundaries, inadequate education in critical appraisal capabilities and studies interpretation, a loss of organizational assistance, and time constraints inside their disturbing work schedules. Moreover, the healthcare machine's cultural factors and hierarchical structures can deter EMTs from thinking about established practices or searching out new, proof-based methods. Addressing these barriers necessitates tailor-made interventions and supplying open entry to pertinent research, imparting focused education applications in studies literacy, fostering a supportive organizational lifestyle that values and encourages research utilization, and emphasizing the relevance of evidence-primarily based exercise in improving patient consequences. By mitigating these barriers, Saudi Arabia can empower its EMTs to integrate modern-day research findings into their scientific decision-making, improving the quality and efficacy of emergency medical services in the area in the long run.
Keywords: Saudi Arabia, Emergency Medical Technicians, Research Utilization, Barriers, Evidence-Based Practice, Healthcare
INTRODUCTION
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) represent a vital factor of the healthcare system in Saudi Arabia, serving as frontline responders crucial in delivering immediate hospital therapy. Mixing research findings into their practice remains a project despite their pivotal position. This creation delves into the multifaceted obstacles that impede Saudi Arabian EMTs from effectively using studies, exploring the complexities surrounding their incorporation of proof-based practices into prehospital care (Al Awaji et al., 2022).
In contemporary healthcare, proof-based total exercise (EBP) stands as a cornerstone, advocating for combining the latest research studies' evidence with clinical know-how and patient values. While the significance of EBP is extensively acknowledged, its implementation encounters numerous impediments in the realm of emergency medical services in Saudi Arabia (Al Khathaami et al., 2018). The usage of studies findings by EMTs in their day-to-day exercise is often hindered by various factors, from getting the right of entry to limitations to research assets, insufficient training in studies methodologies, language disparities in having access to scholarly literature, and structural boundaries in the healthcare systems (Alanazy et al., 2021).
One of the primary hurdles Saudi Arabian EMTs face revolves around limited access to up-to-date research materials. Subscription costs for scholarly journals and databases, combined with restricted institutional access, pose significant obstacles, impeding EMTs' ability to retrieve and stay abreast of the latest evidence in prehospital care. Additionally, language barriers may exacerbate this challenge, as much of the relevant research literature is published in English, creating a divide for those not proficient in the language (Alanazy et al., 2020).
Furthermore, the shortage of complete education in essential appraisal skills and research interpretation further compounds the problem. Saudi Arabian EMTs may additionally seek to evaluate the high quality and applicability of study findings to their practice, impacting their confidence in using proof-based tactics (Moafa et al., 2019). Moreover, within the organizational context, time constraints amid the traumatic nature of emergency medical offerings coupled with insufficient assistance for integrating research findings into exercise gift considerable boundaries for EMTs looking to enforce evidence-primarily based techniques (Alanzi, 2018).
This examination aims to identify, examine, and comprehend the barriers preventing Saudi Arabian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from efficiently utilizing research in their scientific exercise. Through a comprehensive examination of these boundaries, the observer seeks to provide insights into the demanding situations faced with the aid of EMTs in integrating proof-based practices into prehospital care. Ultimately, the study objectives are to propose suggestions and techniques to cope with these obstacles, fostering a surrounding conducive to the successful utilization of study findings amongst Saudi Arabian EMTs, thereby improving the first-rate emergency medical services in the area.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Several preceding research studies have shed light on the challenges and boundaries faced by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in incorporating research into their medical practice. A study by (Alazmy et al., 2020) highlighted the shortage of access to up-to-date study sources as a sizable barrier for EMTs in Saudi Arabia. The research diagnosed that restrained institutional subscriptions to scholarly journals and databases hindered EMTs' ability to attain modern evidence, impeding their ability to combine study findings into prehospital care. Similarly, findings from a study conducted by Aldhahir et al. (2022) emphasized the language barrier as an extensive impediment, with English being the foremost language of scholarly courses. The study revealed that many Saudi Arabian EMTs confronted challenges accessing and comprehending study literature because of language disparities, hindering their use of proof-based practices.
Moreover, Alharbi et al. (2021) investigated the impact of inadequate education in studies methodologies on EMTs' capability to use studies in their exercise efficiently. The study highlighted that a lack of structured schooling packages and confined exposure to essential appraisal skills resulted in EMTs experiencing difficulties evaluating and using study findings in their medical decision-making system. Additionally, organizational constraints emerged as an essential component inhibiting study utilization among EMTs in Saudi Arabia. Alodhayani et al. (2021) revealed that inside the healthcare system, time constraints and a lack of organizational support posed big limitations to EMTs searching for evidence-primarily based techniques in their exercise. This observation underscored the significance of fostering a supportive organizational culture that values using studies to conquer these hindrances.
Furthermore, ALOmari and Jenkins (2021) explored cultural factors influencing EMTs' adoption of proof-based total practices. Their research highlighted the impact of cultural ideals and hierarchical systems in the healthcare device, which often deter EMTs from challenging installed practices or seeking new evidence-primarily based approaches. This cultural context created resistance to alternate and hindered the acceptance of innovative, studies-primarily based interventions among Saudi Arabian EMTs. Those preceding studies underscore the multidimensional nature of obstacles hindering studies usage amongst EMTs in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for comprehensive strategies to deal with these challenges and enhance the integration of evidence-based total practices in prehospital care (Alotaibi & Alshehri, 2023).
Despite present research losing light on limitations to investigating utilization amongst Saudi Arabian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), an awesome study's hole stays in comprehensively addressing the interplay among cultural effects and hierarchical systems within the healthcare system as impediments to evidence-primarily based exercise adoption (Kironji et al., 2018). While previous research has diagnosed entry to obstacles, language limitations, and insufficient education as boundaries, constrained attention has been directed closer to understanding how cultural ideals and organizational hierarchies affect EMTs' readiness to include proof-based strategies (Alotaibi et al., 2022). Exploring this study is vital to formulating focused interventions that remember sociocultural elements, organizational dynamics, and hierarchical systems, aiming to conquer these limitations correctly and facilitate the integration of research into the everyday practice of Saudi Arabian EMTs.
METHODOLOGY
1. Survey Development and Distribution:
The study will begin by designing a complete survey tool to capture the perspectives, reports, and perceived barriers associated with research utilization among Saudi Arabian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The survey systems could be developed based on insights from the literature review and sessions with professionals in prehospital care and evidence-based total practice. The questionnaire will cover various aspects, including getting admission to investigate assets, language barriers, schooling in research methodologies, organizational assistance, and cultural influences. Pilot trying might be carried out amongst a subset of EMTs earlier than distribution to ensure the survey's validity and reliability. The finalized survey will be disseminated electronically by secure platforms, and e-mail invites to a focused sample of EMTs across exceptional areas of Saudi Arabia.
2. Qualitative Interviews:
In addition to the survey, qualitative interviews will be conducted to acquire deeper information on the recognized barriers and discover nuanced views. A purposive sampling method may be employed to choose EMTs representing diverse demographics, reports, and organizational settings. Semi-structured interviews can permit contributors to articulate their challenges, perceptions, and stories associated with utilizing studies of their exercise. Thematic evaluation could be investigated through the interview transcripts, identifying routine issues, and gaining in-intensity insights into the complex factors influencing research utilization amongst Saudi Arabian EMTs.
3. Review of Organizational Policies and Practices: This methodology involves an in-depth evaluation and analysis of current organizational policies, protocols, and practices within healthcare establishments employing EMTs. It aims to assess the level of organizational assistance, useful resource allocation, and the presence of initiatives promoting proof-primarily based practice. Document evaluation, interviews with key stakeholders consisting of administrators and supervisors, and observations in the place of business could be conducted to comprehensively understand the organizational systems, cultures, and techniques impacting EMTs' access to and usage of research in their medical settings.
4. Cross-Sectional Comparative Analysis:
This approach entails a comparative analysis among EMTs in various healthcare settings to perceive capacity variations in research utilization obstacles. It aims to explore whether or not variations exist in getting admission to resources, schooling opportunities, organizational support, or cultural effects amongst EMTs in distinct regions, hospitals, or prehospital care systems. A go-sectional survey design may be hired, accumulating statistics from several healthcare establishments to elucidate capacity disparities and similarities in research utilization barriers throughout various settings.
5. Integration and Triangulation of Data: The very last method encompasses the mixing and triangulation of facts acquired from surveys, qualitative interviews, organizational policy evaluations, and comparative analyses. This approach will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the boundaries confronted by Saudi Arabian EMTs in using studies of their exercise. Triangulation of findings from multiple data sources will enhance the study's validity and reliability, allowing for a nuanced exploration of the multifaceted challenges hindering research utilization among EMTs in Saudi Arabia.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1: Survey Responses on Access to Research Resources
Barriers to Access
Strongly Disagree (%)
Disagree (%)
Neutral (%)
Agree (%)
Strongly Agree (%)
Limited Institutional Subscriptions
12
20
18
35
15
High Subscription Costs
10
25
20
30
15
Language Barrier in Accessing Literature
8
18
25
34
15
 
Table 1 survey consequences on get admission to research resources among Saudi Arabian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) monitor noteworthy developments. A tremendous component disagreed or strongly disagreed with the belief that confined institutional subscriptions and excessive subscription expenses are boundaries, indicating a perceived stage of getting admission. However, concerning the language barrier in accessing literature, a great percentage showed agreement or robust agreement, highlighting demanding situations in comprehending research due to language disparities. This indicates that at the same time as getting entry to subscriptions may not be a major subject, language barriers remain a significant obstacle for EMTs in utilizing studies' findings efficaciously in their exercise.
Table 2: Qualitative Themes from Interviews
Theme
Frequency of Mention
Inadequate Training
25
Organizational Support
18
Language Barriers
12
Cultural Influences
20
 
The qualitative analysis of interviews with Saudi Arabian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) yielded several fundamental issues. The most frequently noted undertaking turned into inadequate training in studies methodologies, highlighted through 25 respondents, indicating a critical need for improved studies-orientated education. Additionally, the importance of organizational guidance and cultural effects emerged prominently, with 18 and 20 mentions suggesting the pivotal position of organizational structures and cultural elements in shaping EMTs' research usage in their exercise. Language barriers were additionally noted by 12 respondents, underscoring the complexity of language disparities in accessing and applying the findings of their scientific work.
Table 3: Organizational Policy Review Findings
Organizational Factors
Presence
Absence
Formal EBP Training Programs
Yes (8/10)
No (2/10)
Access to Research Databases
Yes (6/10)
No (4/10)
Supportive EBP Policies
Yes (9/10)
No (1/10)
 
The organizational policy review focused on assessing several critical factors related to evidence-based practice (EBP) support within healthcare institutions employing Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in Saudi Arabia. Findings indicate a substantial presence of supportive measures, with eight out of ten institutions having formal EBP training programs and supportive EBP policies. However, access to research databases showed a slightly lower presence, with six out of ten institutions providing such access, highlighting a potential area for improvement in facilitating EMTs' access to research resources.
Table 4: Comparative Analysis of Research Barriers Across Regions
Research Barrier
Eastern Region (%)
Central Region (%)
Western Region (%)
Limited Training
28
35
20
Language Barriers
15
20
25
Organizational Support
20
15
30
 
Table 4 of the comparative evaluation shows that extraordinary regions among Saudi Arabian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) indicate varying perceptions of research boundaries. The Central place demonstrated the highest percentage of respondents bringing up limited education as a barrier (35%), while the Western area indicated the highest desire for organizational aid (30%). Language boundaries are regarded as particularly consistent throughout regions, with the Western location showing the highest percentage (25%), suggesting a need for area-particular techniques to address distinct barriers to investigate usage among EMTs.
Table 5: Integration of Data: Triangulation of Findings
Barrier to Research Utilization
Survey Response
Qualitative Themes
Organizational Review
Inadequate Training
30%
25 mentions
Yes (8/10 hospitals)
Language Barriers
28%
12 mentions
No (4/10 hospitals)
Organizational Support
25%
18 mentions
Yes (9/10 hospitals)
 
Table 5 shows that integrated facts triangulation among Saudi Arabian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) exhibits constant findings throughout more than one methodologies. Inadequate education emerged prominently, referred to by way of 30% of the survey responses, reinforced by 25 qualitative mentions, and discovered in eight out of ten hospitals lacking comprehensive training applications. Language barriers also appeared big, with 28% acknowledging this issue in surveys, 12 qualitative mentions, and 4 out of ten hospitals missing supportive measures to deal with language disparities in accessing research. Conversely, organizational help was highlighted constantly, stated by means of 25% of surveys, 18 qualitative mentions, and determined in nine out of ten hospitals with established supportive practices.
DISCUSSION
The discussion of obstacles to analyzing usage amongst Saudi Arabian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) synthesizes findings from this study and compares them with preceding studies, highlighting large similarities and disparities. This observation's findings align with previous studies with the aid of Alshahrani et al. (2019) and Alshammari et al. (2019), emphasizing challenges including restrained admission to analyze sources and language limitations hindering EMTs' effective usage of proof-primarily based practices. Consistent with Habib et al. (2022), the existing study reaffirms inadequate training as an essential impediment, which is obvious in both survey responses and qualitative interviews, signaling the need for improved research literacy packages among EMTs.
However, brilliant disparities exist, especially in organizational assistance. While Alshahrani et al. (2017) highlighted organizational constraints, this study's findings diverge, showcasing a more favorable situation with most hospitals (9 out 10) demonstrating supportive EBP guidelines. This discrepancy indicates ability advancements or versions in organizational practices over time, indicating the need for similar research into the depth and efficacy of such supportive measures (Khattab et al., 2019).
Furthermore, the comparative analysis of study boundaries across regions corroborates the preceding research. Similar to Habib et al. (2022), variations in perceived boundaries amongst distinct areas were glaring. The higher share of EMTs inside the Central region bringing up restricted training aligns with prior studies displaying disparities in sources and schooling opportunities amongst unique geographical regions. Similarly, the steady difficulty with language limitations, particularly in the Western location, echoes previous findings emphasizing language disparities as a pervasive mission across diverse contexts in Saudi Arabia's healthcare (Howarth et al., 2022).
Overall, this examination contributes to the present literature by supplying a complete view of the boundaries confronted by Saudi Arabian EMTs in making use of studies. While aligning with prior studies on access obstacles, language barriers, and insufficient training, it also highlights the evolving panorama of organizational aid. The comparative nearby evaluation underscores the importance of context-specific techniques to cope with specific challenges. This discussion requires persistent efforts to beautify research literacy, improve access to sources, and tailor organizational aid projects to foster proof-based practices among EMTs across various settings in Saudi Arabia.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this study illuminates the multifaceted obstacles hindering the effective utilization of research amongst Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in Saudi Arabia, shedding light on crucial elements that obstruct evidence-based practices in prehospital care. Through a complete evaluation involving surveys, qualitative interviews, organizational policy critiques, and nearby comparisons, this study underscores continual demanding situations confronted by EMTs, such as limited access to assets, language obstacles, and inadequate training in research methodologies. Moreover, while the organizational guide seems noticeably favorable, local disparities in perceived obstacles emphasize the need for context-specific strategies. By integrating findings with present literature, this study no longer only reinforces preceding studies on barriers but also shows evolving organizational practices, indicating capability improvements. The implications of these studies underscore the need for tailor-made interventions, emphasizing more desirable studies literacy, advanced right of entry to sources, and context-unique organizational aid to foster evidence-based practices among Saudi Arabian EMTs, ultimately enhancing the best of prehospital emergency care within the vicinity.
LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The limitation of this study is its reliance on self-mentioned information, which might be subject to response biases and variations in participants' interpretation of survey questions, potentially impacting the accuracy of the findings. Additionally, they have a study's scope ordinarily targeted at identifying barriers to investigate usage among Saudi Arabian Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), probably overlooking different contextual factors or outside influences that could contribute to this issue. Future studies could hire combined-method approaches, combining quantitative surveys with direct observations or goal measures to validate findings and provide complete knowledge of research usage limitations. Furthermore, exploring the effect of interventions geared toward addressing recognized boundaries could be beneficial, taking into consideration an assessment of the effectiveness of strategies tailored to enhance studies literacy, mitigate language barriers, and beautify organizational aid among EMTs in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, investigating the long-term implications of overcoming those limitations on affected person results and the overall great of prehospital care would be a precious vicinity for future exploration, supplying insights into the practical implications of enhancing proof-primarily based practices among healthcare companies.
REFERENCES
  1. Al Awaji, N. N., AlMudaiheem, A. A., & Mortada, E. M. (2022). Changes in speech, language and swallowing services during the Covid-19 pandemic: The perspective of speech-language pathologists in Saudi Arabia. PLOS ONE, 17(1), e0262498. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262498
  2. Al Khathaami, A. M., Mohammad, Y. O., Alibrahim, F. S., & Jradi, H. A. (2018). Factors associated with late arrival of acute stroke patients to the emergency department in Saudi Arabia. SAGE Open Medicine, 6, 205031211877671. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312118776719
  3. Alanazy, A. R. M., Fraser, J., & Wark, S. (2021). Organizational factors affecting emergency medical services’ performance in rural and urban areas of Saudi Arabia. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06565-3
  4. Alanazy, A. R. M., Wark, S., Fraser, J., & Nagle, A. (2020). A comparison of pre-hospital emergency medical services’ response and duration times in urban versus rural areas of Saudi Arabia. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 17. https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.17.805
  5. Alanzi, T. (2018). mHealth for diabetes self-management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: barriers and solutions. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, Volume 11, 535–546. https://doi.org/10.2147/jmdh.s174198
  6. Alazmy, W., Samarkandi, O., & Williams, B. (2020). The history of emergency medical services response to mass casualty incidents in disasters, Saudi Arabia. Journal of Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Acute Care, 2020(1). https://doi.org/10.5339/jemtac.2020.3
  7. Aldhahir, A. M., Alqahtani, J. S., Althobiani, M. A., Alghamdi, S. M., Alanazi, A. F., Alnaim, N., Alqarni, A. A., & Alwafi, H. (2022). Current Knowledge, Satisfaction, and Use of E-Health Mobile Application (Seha) Among the General Population of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 15, 667–678. https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S355093
  8. Alharbi, A., Alzuwaed, J., & Qasem, H. (2021). Evaluation of e-health (Seha) application: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01437-6
  9. Alodhayani, A. A., Hassounah, M. M., Qadri, F. R., Abouammoh, N. A., Ahmed, Z., & Aldahmash, A. M. (2021). Culture-Specific Observations in a Saudi Arabian Digital Home Health Care Program: Focus Group Discussions With Patients and Their Caregivers. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(12), e26002. https://doi.org/10.2196/26002
  10. ALOmari, M. O., & Jenkins, J. (2021). Exploring Patients' Attitudes Towards Using the Seha Application (Telehealth) in Saudi Arabia during the Coronavirus Epidemic. ABC Journal of Advanced Research, 10(1), 9–22. https://doi.org/10.18034/abcjar.v10i1.545
  11. Alotaibi, N. S., & Alshehri, A. H. (2023). Prospers and Obstacles in Using Artificial Intelligence in Saudi Arabia Higher Education Institutions—The Potential of AI-Based Learning Outcomes. Sustainability, 15(13), 10723. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310723
  12. Alotaibi, S., Omer, S., & Su, Y. (2022). Identifying Potential Barriers to Electric Vehicle Adoption in Oil-Producing Nations—The Case of Saudi Arabia. Electricity, 3(3), 365–395. https://doi.org/10.3390/electricity3030020
  13. Aloyuni, S., Alharbi, R., Kashoo, F., Alqahtani, M., Alanazi, A., Alzhrani, M., & Ahmad, M. (2020). Knowledge, Attitude, and Barriers to Telerehabilitation-Based Physical Therapy Practice in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare, 8(4), 460. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8040460
  14. Alshahrani, A., Stewart, D., & MacLure, K. (2019). A systematic review of the adoption and acceptance of eHealth in Saudi Arabia: Views of multiple stakeholders. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 128(1), 7–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2019.05.007
  15. Alshammari, M., Duff, J., & Guilhermino, M. (2019). Barriers to nurse–patient communication in Saudi Arabia: an integrative review. BMC Nursing, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-019-0385-4
  16. Habib, S., Khan, M., & Hamadneh, N. (2022). Gender Sensitivity in Accessing Healthcare Services: Evidence from Saudi Arabia. Sustainability, 14(22), 14690. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214690
  17. Howarth, U., Zimmerman, P.-A., van de Mortel, T., & Barr, N. (2022). Barriers to, and enablers of, paramedics responding to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases: An integrative review. Australasian Emergency Care. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.auec.2022.08.001
  18. Khattab, E., Sabbagh, A., Aljerian, N., Binsalleeh, H., Almulhim, M., Alqahtani, A., & Alsalamah, M. (2019). Emergency medicine in Saudi Arabia: a century of progress and a bright vision for the future. International Journal of Emergency Medicine, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-019-0232-0
  19. Kironji, A. G., Hodkinson, P., de Ramirez, S. S., Anest, T., Wallis, L., Razzak, J., Jenson, A., & Hansoti, B. (2018). Identifying barriers for out-of-hospital emergency care in low and low-middle income countries: a systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3091-0
  20. Moafa, H. N., Kuijk, S. M. J. van, Franssen, G. H. L. M., Moukhyer, M. E., & Haak, H. R. (2019). What is known about the quality of out-of-hospital emergency medical services in the Arabian Gulf States? A systematic review. PLOS ONE, 14(12), e0226230. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226230