Saudi Vision 2030 and Physician’s Perception of Public-Private Partnerships in Healthcare

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the existing level of awareness about PPPs among physicians’ at different levels of health care delivery system and their perception on the benefits and potential challenges in implementation of PPPs in Saudi health care system. The study collected information from a total number of 60 health professionals including consultants, specialists, residents and general practitioners who were working in public and private health facilities in Riyadh city. The analysis showed that only one-thirds of respondents had complete understanding of the features of PPPs. About 33% of them identified most of the principles of PPP, whereas 50% of them could identify at least three principles. More than 70% of respondents identified improving access to quality health care to population as one of the major benefits of PPPs. Nearly 60% of them also highlighted that focus of PPP arrangements should be for providing primary health care and emergency care to the citizen. A significant percentage of physicians’ also identified areas like specialist care, radiology services and other laboratory services as focus areas for PPP in Saudi Arabia. However, they perceived many challenges in implementing PPPs, significant of which includes lack of policy driven strategy for PPP and absence of appropriate institutional structure in managing PPPs. The study concludes that there exists a low level of awareness among physicians’ on various aspects of PPPs in health care. The study recommends the need for improving awareness about PPPs among physicians, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians and allied health professionals in the Kingdom.