The Temporary Contracting and Visiting Doctors Program in the Saudi Ministry of Health: Development, Reform and...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Human Resources in Healthcare
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• The Saudi Ministry of Health established the Temporary Contracting and Visiting Doctors' Program to ensure a sustainable healthcare workforce.
• The program specifically aimed to address staffing shortages in both urban and remote regions of Saudi Arabia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the operational experience of Saudi Arabia's Temporary Contracting and Visiting Doctors' Program.
• To outline the reform initiatives implemented within the program.
• To present the key outcomes and achievements of the program.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was employed to analyze the program's development and reform processes.
• Document review was conducted to gather data on program evolution and reforms.
• Quantitative data on contract types, budget, and registered healthcare professionals were extracted from the "VISITORs" platform.

Main Results:

• The program's scope expanded to include healthcare professionals from within Saudi Arabia, in addition to international recruitment.
• Key reforms included establishing a central committee, developing guidelines, decentralizing implementation, and creating electronic recruitment systems.
• Significant increases in temporary contracts were observed, particularly for part-time roles, rare sub-specialties, and Saudi healthcare professionals.

Conclusions:

• Reforms in the Saudi Temporary Contracting and Visiting Doctors' Program have optimized recruitment to meet specific needs.
• The program demonstrates efficient resource allocation and ensures the deployment of qualified healthcare professionals.