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Strategic Planning for a Digital Health Innovation Hub at a Saudi Academic Medical Center: Qualitative Case Study
Mohammed Alshehri1,2, Abdulrahman Mohammed A Altowaijri3, Sara Alsubait4
1Center of Excellence in Biotechnology Research, King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, RGSA 8707, Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia, +966 54 220 5822.
JMIR Formative Research
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Digital health innovation in Saudi academic medical centers requires integrated strategies, not standalone technologies. Success hinges on addressing organizational culture, leadership, and knowledge transfer for sustained value.
Area of Science:
- Digital Health Innovation
- Health Care Management
- Organizational Strategy
Background:
- Digital transformation in healthcare faces challenges in delivering value when implemented as isolated technologies.
- Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 necessitates enhanced digital capabilities and localized innovation within academic medical centers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate organizational factors influencing digital health innovation at King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC).
- To develop a preliminary strategic planning framework for a digital health innovation hub specific to the KSUMC context.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative exploratory case study was conducted at KSUMC.
- Semistructured interviews were performed with 14 diverse stakeholders.
- Reflexive thematic analysis was employed, guided by Diffusion of Innovation Theory and systems thinking.
Main Results:
- Leadership support was symbolic; middle management engagement and risk tolerance were inconsistent.
- Fragmented systems, workload, and weak operational support hindered innovation integration.
- Knowledge transfer and commercialization pathways were unclear, impacting the journey from idea to market.
Conclusions:
- Digital health innovation is influenced by organizational culture, governance, and operational feasibility, not just technology.
- A preliminary framework focusing on governance, knowledge transfer, partnerships, and workforce development is proposed.
- The framework aims to integrate knowledge transfer, commercialization, and capability building into digital health strategies for Saudi academic medical centers.
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