Expanding the Role of Paramedics in Saudi Arabia: Current Evidence, Evolving Models, and Future Opportunities for Integrated Healthcare

Abstract

Background: Paramedicine in Saudi Arabia has evolved rapidly in recent years, transitioning from a transport-focused emergency service to a developing clinical profession. This transformation aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Health Sector Transformation Program, which emphasizes preventive, integrated, and efficient healthcare delivery. Despite these advances, limited literature has synthesized evidence on the current status, challenges, and future directions of paramedic practice in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A narrative review approach was adopted to examine peer-reviewed literature, policy documents, and grey sources published between 2010 and 2025. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and regional databases using keywords related to “paramedic,” “Emergency Medical Services,” “Saudi Arabia,” “community paramedicine,” and “scope of practice.” Studies were included if they discussed workforce development, education, role expansion, or policy within the Saudi or Gulf context. Findings were synthesized thematically and compared with international models.

Results: The review identified major progress in professional education, regulatory frameworks, and system modernization. However, the paramedic role in Saudi Arabia remains largely confined to emergency response. Evidence suggests growing interest in community-based and telehealth-enabled models, but widespread adoption is limited by regulatory, financial, and integration barriers. Challenges include uneven resource distribution, limited postgraduate education, and gaps in interprofessional collaboration.

Conclusion: Saudi paramedicine is at a critical juncture of transformation. Expanding the paramedic’s scope toward community and preventive care could enhance access, efficiency, and equity. Strengthening regulation, education, and data systems will enable paramedics to contribute effectively to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals for a patient-centred and sustainable healthcare system.