Developing Leadership Capabilities to Implement Saudi Arabia’s Frailty Care Pathway

Abstract

Introduction: As part of Vision 2030, a comprehensive frailty care pathway is being developed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Challenges remain, however, with diffusing this policy. To address this policy-implementation gap, our empirical study examines the role of leadership in successful implementing the Kingdom’s frailty care pathway. Methods: Drawing on the diffusion of innovation theory, five semi-structured interviews were conducted with leaders who are involved in implementing the policy across the frailty healthcare value chain in Saudi Arabia. A fieldwork and a scoping literature review supplemented the thematic interview analysis. Frailty pathways in other countries were content analysed to draw parallels with implementing frailty care pathways and to strengthen the recommendations. Results: Three key areas were identified to facilitate successful implementation of a frailty care policy in terms of the need for (i) adequate primary care support for policy implementation, (ii) effective integration across healthcare systems, and (iii) updated leadership skills with development opportunities for motivated emerging healthcare leaders to innovate and co-ordinate care. Conclusion: First, the study’s findings support the case for developing leadership skills that are necessary for effective policy implementation. Secondly, it offers valuable insights into internal and external obstacles encountered during policy implementation and highlights potential implementation challenges. Thirdly, these insights are generalisable to neighbouring Gulf Cooperation Council countries that are undergoing similar healthcare reforms.