Background: Evidence-based healthcare has evolved over recent decades, relying on systematic reviews, health technology assessments, and clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to optimize patient care. CPGs integrate clinicians’ expertise, scientific evidence, and patient preferences to improve outcomes and quality of care. Although CPGs are widely disseminated in Saudi Arabia, there is limited evidence on their actual implementation in clinical practice. Aim: To explore the current status of CPG use among healthcare practitioners in Saudi Arabia and identify the barriers and facilitators influencing their implementation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals working in both public and private sectors across Saudi Arabia. Participants were selected through the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties registry using multistage random sampling. A total of 6,498 healthcare providers were invited via email to complete an online self-administered questionnaire created using Google Docs. The sample size was calculated at a 95% confidence level, 5% margin of error, and expected 50% response rate, requiring a minimum of 377 participants. The questionnaire, adapted from Gagliardi et al. (2019), included demographic data and 26 close-ended items assessing clinicians’ awareness, attitudes, and utilization of CPGs, as well as factors influencing implementation. Results and Conclusion: This study provides baseline information on the awareness and use of CPGs among healthcare practitioners in Saudi Arabia. Identifying barriers and facilitators to CPG implementation will support knowledge translation and guide tailored strategies to enhance evidence-based practice and healthcare quality nationwide.

CHRS0852025

https://doi.org/10.60840/nhrsp-wq23

1. Study design and setting A cross-sectional study was used to assess the level of awareness and utilization of CPGs, identify the factors that influence their implementation, and explore their impact on patient outcomes and healthcare quality in Saudi Arabia among healthcare professionals working in both public and private healthcare sectors. 2. Study participants and sample The target participants were approached through the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, where all healthcare professionals were required to be registered and licensed to practice in Saudi Arabia. Participants (healthcare providers) were selected using simple random sampling technique, using the sampling frame of eligible public and private healthcare facilities. A multistage random sampling was conducted, and questionnaires were sent by email. A total of 6,498 participants received the questionnaire, using google docs to create the link. We calculated the sample size by keeping a confidence level of 95%, margin of error of 5%, and response rate of 50%. With these assumptions and parameters, we required a minimum of 377 study participants to achieve the goal of the study. 3. Data collection tool We developed an online self-administered questionnaire (adapted from Gagliardi et al., 2019) and distributed the online questionnaire via email among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia, including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists [20]. The survey questionnaire consisted of two sections. The first section included questions about clinician demographic and background information (including two closes-ended items that can be considered determinants: attitudes regarding guidelines and experience with CPGs). The second section consisted of 26 close-ended items that asked participants questions about clinician-specific and guideline-specific determinants of CPGs use. This section assessed the participants' level of awareness and utilization of CPGs. Participants were asked to indicate their familiarity with selected CPGs, frequency of use, and whether they believe CPGs improve patient outcomes.