Tackling Chronic Diseases: Saudi Nursing's Pivotal Role in Vision 2030 Health Initiatives

Abstract

Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 outlines ambitious goals for healthcare transformation, with a focus on tackling the growing burden of chronic diseases and improving population health outcomes. Nurses, as the largest healthcare workforce in the country, have a pivotal role to play in achieving these goals and promoting a preventive and patient-centered approach to chronic disease management. This systematic review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the contributions of Saudi nursing in addressing the challenges and opportunities of chronic disease prevention and control, in alignment with Vision 2030's health initiatives. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using relevant databases, and 60 studies were included in the review. The findings highlight the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in improving the access, quality, and outcomes of chronic disease care, particularly for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The review also identifies the enablers and barriers to the integration of chronic disease management into nursing practice, such as education and training, interprofessional collaboration, and technology and innovation. Strategies for optimizing the role of nurses in chronic disease prevention and control are discussed, including workforce planning, task-sharing, and community engagement. The review concludes with recommendations for future research, policy, and practice to support the empowerment of nurses as leaders in tackling the chronic disease epidemic in Saudi Arabia.