Patterns of Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management of Acute Medical and Surgical Conditions in Saudi Arabia: A Review Across Family Medicine, Emergency, and Surgical Care
Authors
Keywords
Acute care; Saudi Arabia; Emergency medicine; Family medicine; Surgical care; Healthcare integration; Clinical presentation; Diagnostic protocols; Healthcare disparities
Abstract
The management of acute medical and surgical conditions is a critical indicator of healthcare system performance, requiring
seamless coordination across primary, emergency, and specialty care. In Saudi Arabia, this challenge is shaped by a young
demographic, a high burden of non-communicable diseases, and rapid health system transformation under Vision 2030.
This narrative review synthesizes evidence from observational studies, registries, and policy reports relevant to acute care
delivery in Saudi Arabia. A persistent trend of patients bypassing primary care for emergency departments, contributing to
overcrowding and fragmented care. Clinical presentations are often modified by high rates of diabetes and obesity, leading
to atypical manifestations. While urban tertiary centers demonstrate advanced, protocol-driven diagnostics and a shift
toward minimally invasive surgery, significant disparities in resource access and care continuity exist between urban and
rural regions. There is a need for stronger integration of care pathways, enhanced primary care capacity, and equitable
distribution of resources to optimize acute care delivery and outcomes in Saudi Arabia.
seamless coordination across primary, emergency, and specialty care. In Saudi Arabia, this challenge is shaped by a young
demographic, a high burden of non-communicable diseases, and rapid health system transformation under Vision 2030.
This narrative review synthesizes evidence from observational studies, registries, and policy reports relevant to acute care
delivery in Saudi Arabia. A persistent trend of patients bypassing primary care for emergency departments, contributing to
overcrowding and fragmented care. Clinical presentations are often modified by high rates of diabetes and obesity, leading
to atypical manifestations. While urban tertiary centers demonstrate advanced, protocol-driven diagnostics and a shift
toward minimally invasive surgery, significant disparities in resource access and care continuity exist between urban and
rural regions. There is a need for stronger integration of care pathways, enhanced primary care capacity, and equitable
distribution of resources to optimize acute care delivery and outcomes in Saudi Arabia.
Author Information
¹ Assistant Consultant FM, National Guard Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, SCOHS, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,
Email: Najlaa.Alsudairy@gmail.com
² Medical Intern, Qassim University, Email: 391202540@qu.edu.sa
³ Medical Intern, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Email: dr.atheer224422@gmail.com
⁴ General Practitioner, King Khalid Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Email: Dr.reemaabdullah@icloud.com
⁵ ICU Resident, King Fahd Specialty Hospital, Tabuk Saudi Arabia, Email: omniasaifaldeen698@gmail.com
⁶ General Practitioner, Emergency Department, King Abdullah Medical Complex, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,
Email: MOHAMMED8ALSHAMRANI@gmail.com
⁷ General Practitioner, Maternity and Children Hospital, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia,
Email: Mood.1413@gmail.com
⁸ General Practitioner, Albaha University, Saudi Arabia, Email: Dr.f2di@gmail.com
⁹ General Practitioner, Sarrar PHC, Sarrar, Saudi Arabia, Email: zahra.tahifa@gmail.com
¹⁰ General Practitioner, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, Email: abdullah76610@gmail.com
¹¹ General Practitioner, King Khalid Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Email: Amirahalrwil@gmail.com
Corresponding author: Najlaa Mohammad Alsudairy, Email: Najlaa.Alsudairy@gmail.com
Email: Najlaa.Alsudairy@gmail.com
² Medical Intern, Qassim University, Email: 391202540@qu.edu.sa
³ Medical Intern, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Email: dr.atheer224422@gmail.com
⁴ General Practitioner, King Khalid Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Email: Dr.reemaabdullah@icloud.com
⁵ ICU Resident, King Fahd Specialty Hospital, Tabuk Saudi Arabia, Email: omniasaifaldeen698@gmail.com
⁶ General Practitioner, Emergency Department, King Abdullah Medical Complex, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,
Email: MOHAMMED8ALSHAMRANI@gmail.com
⁷ General Practitioner, Maternity and Children Hospital, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia,
Email: Mood.1413@gmail.com
⁸ General Practitioner, Albaha University, Saudi Arabia, Email: Dr.f2di@gmail.com
⁹ General Practitioner, Sarrar PHC, Sarrar, Saudi Arabia, Email: zahra.tahifa@gmail.com
¹⁰ General Practitioner, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, Email: abdullah76610@gmail.com
¹¹ General Practitioner, King Khalid Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Email: Amirahalrwil@gmail.com
Corresponding author: Najlaa Mohammad Alsudairy, Email: Najlaa.Alsudairy@gmail.com