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THE IMPACT OF VISION 2030 ON PHARMACY STUDENTS' CAREER OUTLOOKS AND SPECIALIZATION CHOICES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL
A Alhur1, R Alharajeen2, A Alshabanah2
11Department of Health Informatics, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Hail, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has introduced substantial reforms aimed at transforming the healthcare sector, including the expansion of advanced clinical roles, digital health integration, and workforce localization. Understanding how these reforms influence pharmacy students' career outlooks and specialization choices is essential for aligning pharmacy education with national workforce priorities.
Objective:
This study aimed to examine pharmacy students' career outlooks and specialization preferences in Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on the perceived influence of Vision 2030 on their professional decision-making.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among pharmacy students enrolled in public and private universities across Saudi Arabia. A structured bilingual (English-Arabic) questionnaire collected data on demographics, awareness of Vision 2030, career preferences, and perceived influence of Vision 2030 using Likert-scale items, along with open-ended qualitative reflections. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative responses underwent thematic content analysis.
Results:
A total of 440 pharmacy students participated. Nearly all respondents (97.7%) reported familiarity with Vision 2030. Clinical pharmacy (24.1%) and hospital pharmacy (21.4%) were the most preferred career pathways, while 4.5% expressed interest in health informatics or digital health. Most students (73.6%) planned to pursue specialization after graduation. Although Vision 2030 was less frequently identified as a direct factor influencing career choice (13.6%), Likert-scale findings indicated a moderate perceived influence on career thinking and preparedness. Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: perceived expansion of professional opportunities under Vision 2030, opportunities and challenges related to technological advancement (including concerns about artificial intelligence), and the need for curriculum modernization emphasizing practical training and digital competencies.
Conclusion:
Pharmacy students in Saudi Arabia perceive Vision 2030 as an important contextual framework shaping the future of pharmacy practice and career opportunities, primarily through system-level changes rather than as a direct personal motivator. These findings highlight the need for continued curriculum reform, expanded postgraduate training pathways, and structured career guidance to ensure alignment between pharmacy education, student aspirations, and national health sector transformation goals.
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