A survey of physicians' experience and awareness of institutional provisions designed to foster patient engagement in KSA

OBJECTIVES: To survey physicians' perceptions of their experience and awareness of institutional provisions that can potentially foster patient engagement (PE) in KSA. METHODS: In April 2017, an online survey was distributed to clinicians in KSA using Google Forms. The instrument contained questions about the physicians' awareness and experience of their institutions' provision of resources and support. RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty-five clinicians responded to the survey The results showed that 18.5% claimed that their institutions allowed online scheduling of appointments; 8.9% reported the institutions permitted contact between patients and physicians through email; 24.0% reported they provided patients with online access to health records and test results; 55.7% claimed they provided educational multimedia programming; and 74.8% confirmed they encouraged joint decision-making between physicians and patients. Only 34.5% of respondents claimed their institutions provided home visits for high-risk patients. Six of 10 respondents thought that such provisions would have positive outcomes for them and for their patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians are aware of and value provisions that foster PE. However, several institutions in KSA do not support or have provisions in place to foster PE. Male clinicians with longer durations of practice and those with higher administrative positions are more likely to value the importance of PE and support and use it in their practice.