Facilitators for Routine Medical Checkups Use from the Perspective of Primary Care Providers: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE

To identify facilitators to routine medical checkups (RMCs) use among Saudi adults from the perspectives of primary care providers (PCPs).

METHODS

A qualitative phenomenological study design was conducted at five primary health care centers (PHCs) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected between December 2020 and February 2021 using semi-structured interviews with 19 PCPs. Descriptive statistics were performed to characterize participants, and a direct content analysis was conducted to identify major themes.

RESULTS

A number of factors were identified as facilitators for RMCs use among Saudi adults. Those facilitators were classified into three main themes related to patients, providers, and healthcare systems. Patients' knowledge about the importance of RMCs and their awareness of the service availability were identified as key facilitators under patients-related theme. Providers' knowledge, skills, and awareness of RMCs were identified as facilitators under provider-related themes. Lastly, improving the supply of providers and enhancing access were the facilitators identified under the healthcare system-related theme.

CONCLUSION

This study provided insights into the facilitators for RMCs use among Saudi adults from the perspective of PCPs. This could contribute to the knowledge and inform future research, policy, and decision-making related to increasing the use of RMCs among Saudis.