Provider-Reported Readiness of Chronic Healthcare Services in Saudi Arabia Under the Health Sector Transformation Program.

OBJECTIVE

To assess provider-reported readiness of chronic healthcare services in Saudi Arabia within the context of the Health Sector Transformation Program (HSTP), using a validated, context-specific assessment instrument.

METHODS

A national cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025 among 254 healthcare providers across 5 health regions and both public and private healthcare sectors. A 34-item instrument, informed by the Chronic Care Model (CCM) and adapted to the Saudi context, assessed 7 system readiness dimensions. Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Overall system readiness was moderately positive. Health system organization and community resource linkages demonstrated the highest mean scores, indicating relative strengths in governance and system coordination. In contrast, clinical information systems and workforce awareness showed lower scores, reflecting gaps in digital integration and workforce engagement. Significant differences were observed across sectors and regions, with private-sector providers reporting higher readiness in several dimensions (p < 0.05). Strong positive correlations were identified among system readiness dimensions.

CONCLUSION

Chronic healthcare services in Saudi Arabia demonstrate moderate system readiness, with established structural foundations but persistent gaps in operational integration. Strengthening digital health systems, workforce engagement, and community-based care integration may enhance the effective implementation of HSTP objectives and support improved chronic care delivery.