Written by
International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences, 2022, 11, 3, 72-81.
DOI: 10.5530/ijpcs.2022.11.14
Published: December 2022
Type: Research Article
Authors: Yousef Ahmed Alomi, Abdulaziz Saad Ali Alrobiea, Shaimaa O Ahmadeen, Mohammad
Abdullah Alghamdi, Maha Hussein Almadany, Abeer Hussin Almasoudi, and Atheer Fahad Al-Aqile
Author(s) affiliations:
Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, BSc. Pharm, MSc. Clin Pharm, BCPS, BCNSP, DiBA, CDE, Critical care clinical pharmacists TPN clinical pharmacist Freelancer Business Planner, Content Editor, and Data Analyst, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulaziz Saad Ali Alrobiea, MBBS, SB-Surgy, JB, FACS, KITP (UGIT- Surgy), Consultant GS and UGIT- bariatric surgery, Riyadh First Health Cluster, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Shaimaa O Ahmadeen, Bsc. Pharm, MSc. Pharm, Scientific Evaluation Expert, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammad Abdullah Alghamdi, Bsc. Pharm, MSc. Pharm, Director of Pharmacy, Care National Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Maha Hussein Almadany, Bsc. Pharm, Health Care Quality Management Professional Diploma (HCQM), Pharmacy Quality Department, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Medical City, Al Madina Al Monwarah, Saudi Arabia.
Abeer Hussin Almasoudi, BSc. Pharm, BCPS, Director, Administration of Research and Studies, Ministry of Health, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Atheer Fahad Al-Aqile, PharmD, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Objectives: To explore the knowledge of pharmacists about health insurance in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This study analyzes a cross-sectional survey that discussed pharmacists’ knowledge of health insurance in Saudi Arabia. The survey consisted of respondents’ demographic information about pharmacists, the health insurance assessment of primary and advanced knowledge, and the resources used for health insurance drug therapy. The 5-point Likert response scale system was used with closed-ended questions. The survey was validated through the revision of expert reviewers and pilot testing. Various tests of reliability, including McDonald’s ω, Cronbach’s alpha, Gutmann’s λ2, and Gutmann’s λ6, were conducted. Data analysis was performed using SurveyMonkey, SPSS, Jeffery’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), and Microsoft Excel version 16. Results: A total of 398 pharmacists responded to the questionnaire. Over one-third of responses came from the Central region (137 (34.51%)), and one-quarter from the Western region (109 (27.46%)), with statistically significant differences between the provinces (p=0.000). Male respondents outnumbered female respondents (239 (60.35%) vs. 157 (39.65%)), with statistically significant differences between all levels (p=0.000). Most respondents were in the age groups of 24-30 years (271 (68.26%)) and 31-35 years (56 (14.11%)), with statistically significant differences between all age groups (p=0.000). Most pharmacists were staff pharmacists (300 (75.76%)) and pharmacy supervisors (43 (10.86%)), with statistically significant differences between all levels (p=0.000). Almost one-half of pharmacists currently have health insurance coverage (239 (60.05%)), with equal to or less than one year (108 (42.52%)), or 2-3 years (81 (31.89%)) of association with their current insurance provider, with statistically significant differences between all levels (p=0.000). The average score of basic knowledge of pharmacists about health insurance was 1.91. The element “the ethics used in health insurance pharmacist” obtained the highest score (2.19). The aspect “the health insurance system covered the medications errors sentinel event” scored 2.05. The average score of advanced knowledge of pharmacists about health insurance was 1.95. The element “the knowledge of medications covered by health insurance” obtained the highest score (2.38). The aspect “the knowledge of the medications devices and health insurance” scored 2.17. The most used resources for pharmacists and health insurance information were health practitioners (179 (46.25%)), followed by the SFDA website (128 (33.07%)), scientific literature (117 (30.23%)), and drug information resources (Lexi-comp, Micromedex, Epocrates, 101 (26.10%)). Conclusion: Pharmacists’ knowledge of health insurance was found to be insufficient in Saudi Arabia. The health insurance pharmacy sector is in high demand for transformation plans aligned with the national vision. Therefore, targeted education and training during undergraduate and postgraduate studies are highly recommended in Saudi Arabia.
Keywords: Health, Insurance, Knowledge, Pharmacists, Saudi Arabia