Multidisciplinary Approaches to Emergency and Addiction Care: Contributions from EMS Professionals, Respiratory Care Specialists, Social Workers, Mental Health Experts, and Pharmacists in Saudi Vision 2030

Abstract

Emergency and addiction care are critical components of the healthcare system, requiring the collaboration and coordination of multiple disciplines to provide timely, effective, and patient-centered care. In Saudi Arabia, the Vision 2030 strategic plan emphasizes the importance of improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare services, including emergency and addiction care, and the need for a skilled and diverse healthcare workforce. This systematic review aims to explore the contributions of various healthcare professionals, including emergency medical services (EMS) professionals, respiratory care specialists, social workers, mental health experts, and pharmacists, to the delivery of emergency and addiction care in Saudi Arabia, and their alignment with the Vision 2030 goals. A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Saudi Digital Library, was conducted to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2023. The search strategy employed a combination of keywords related to emergency care, addiction care, multidisciplinary teams, and Saudi Arabia. A total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The findings highlight the diverse and complementary roles of EMS professionals, respiratory care specialists, social workers, mental health experts, and pharmacists in providing comprehensive and coordinated care for patients with acute and chronic conditions in emergency and addiction settings. Key factors influencing the effectiveness of multidisciplinary collaborations include communication, role clarity, resource availability, and organizational support. The review also identifies challenges and barriers to the optimal utilization of these healthcare professionals in emergency and addiction care, such as workforce shortages, inadequate training, and limited interprofessional education. The findings of this review have significant implications for healthcare practice, policy, and research in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for strategic initiatives to support the development and empowerment of a skilled and collaborative healthcare workforce to meet the evolving needs of patients and achieve the Vision 2030 goals.