Review Paper
Year: 2022 | Month: July-September | Volume: 6 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 139-152
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijash.20220716
Evaluating the Extent of Language Barriers Among Health Professionals in the Saudi Arabian Health System
Obaid Ghazi Alotaibi1, Abdulaziz Khalaf Alanazi2
1Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia, Hafer-Albatan, Saudi Arabia
2Hail University, Saudi Arabia, Hail, Saudi Arabia
Corresponding Author: Obaid Ghazi Alotaibi
ABSTRACT
This paper evaluates the cause, extent, and effects of language and cultural barriers within the Saudi Arabia healthcare system that have an indirect or direct effect on both the patient's perceived quality of care and the actual quality of care delivered. A systematic search of different databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, MEDLINE, and ScinceDirect.) was conducted. Using the following search terms language barrier’ AND ‘health’ AND ‘Saudi Arabia’. Additionally, the search terms ‘safety’ AND ‘quality’. The findings illustrate that the Saudi Arabian healthcare system is subject to significant impacts due to poor communication as a result of evident language barriers. Accordingly, it is proposed that individual level and an overall strategy for enhancing language and communication in healthcare across the Kingdom are implemented, including both technological solutions and organisational and human resource-based solutions. A proposed timeline for implementing these various strategies has been provided.
Keywords: language barriers, Saudi Arabia healthcare system, language and communication in healthcare
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