Intelligent Interprofessional Collaboration In Saudi Healthcare: Integrating Anesthesia, Clinical Pharmacy, Nursing, And Public Health Through Digital Innovation And Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Background: Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare delivery, enhancing patient safety, quality of care, and system efficiency. In Saudi Arabia, where healthcare transformation under Vision 2030 emphasizes digitalization and human capital development, understanding and optimizing collaboration among anesthesia, clinical pharmacy, nursing, and public health professionals is both timely and strategic.

Aim: This paper explores the current status, challenges, and future potential of interprofessional collaboration in Saudi hospitals, proposing a smart, AI-enabled framework that integrates perioperative and public-health domains.

Methods: A structured review of peer-reviewed studies (2021–2025) was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect using the keywords interprofessional collaboration, anesthesia, pharmacy, nursing, public health, and Saudi Arabia. Findings were synthesized through thematic analysis, supported by comparative evaluation of global and local literature.

Results: Evidence shows widespread readiness and positive attitudes toward teamwork across healthcare disciplines but persistent barriers related to role ambiguity, hierarchical structure, and lack of digital integration. Pharmacist–nurse collaboration has improved medication safety, while anesthesia and public-health engagement remain limited. Artificial intelligence, immersive simulation, and digital governance emerge as promising enablers for system-wide collaboration.

Conclusions: Saudi healthcare is poised to transition from traditional multidisciplinary cooperation to Intelligent Interprofessional Collaboration (I-IPC)—a model leveraging AI, predictive analytics, and smart simulation to harmonize human expertise and technological intelligence. This evolution aligns directly with Vision 2030’s aspiration for a sustainable, data-driven, and patient-centered healthcare system.