Nurse–Patient Communication Challenges In Saudi Healthcare Settings

Abstract

Introduction: Willful communication constitutes the key to safe and quality nursing care. The healthcare environment in Saudi Arabia is considered to be unique due to a highly diverse and expatriate-dominated nursing population serving a population with unique, linguistic, religious, and socio-cultural values. Since the Kingdom is rapidly changing due to Saudi Vision 2030, it is important to comprehend the obstacles to effective therapy interaction. Poor communication within such environments is often associated with low levels of patient satisfaction and high clinical safety risk.

Objective: This systematic review aims to compile the current available evidence concerning the various modes of hindrances encountered in terms of communication between nurse(s) and patient(s) within the healthcare industry in Saudi Arabia.

Method: There was a systematic search in five large electronic databases, namely PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. The search was conducted in peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 and that dealt with communication dynamics in Saudi clinical contexts. The method of selecting the studies was based on the standards of PRISMA that encompassed qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research. Standardized tool was used to extract data and thematic analysis was done to synthesize data to identify recurring barriers and their effects on healthcare outcomes.

Conclusion: A complicated triple barrier of language, culture and heavy workload impedes nurse-patient communication in Saudi Arabia. Although the technical clinical skills are good among the working population, cultural and linguistic self-efficacy has a very critical gap. In order to achieve the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, healthcare facilities should leave the simple orientation programs behind and proceed to institutional transcultural nursing education and introduction of digital translation technologies. Recruitment of native Arabic-speaking nurses and creation of communication structures that are specific to the Saudi culture should be prioritized in the future.