Factors influencing inappropriate hospitalization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: physicians' perspectives

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Hospital Administration
• Medical Ethics

Background:

• Inappropriate hospitalizations strain healthcare resources and impact patient care quality.
• Understanding physician perspectives is crucial for addressing admission inefficiencies.
• Public hospitals face unique challenges regarding admission appropriateness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors contributing to inappropriate hospitalizations from physicians' viewpoints.
• To compare the frequency of inappropriate admissions across different hospital types in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• To identify the primary reasons cited by physicians for unnecessary hospital stays.

Main Methods:

• A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 250 physicians.
• Physicians' perspectives on inappropriate admissions were collected.
• Data were analyzed to identify contributing factors and hospital-specific trends.

Main Results:

• Most physicians recognized the issue of inappropriate admissions.
• Inappropriate admissions were more prevalent in government and military hospitals compared to private facilities.
• Key reasons cited included family inability to provide care, patient demands, and lack of discharge support.

Conclusions:

• Physician awareness of inappropriate admissions is high, but challenges persist, especially in public hospitals.
• Addressing social and familial support systems is essential to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations.
• Targeted interventions in public hospitals are needed to improve admission appropriateness.