Background: Health officials need current knowledge of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and related risk factors to prioritize prevention and control measures due to lifestyle changes, population structure, and the high incidence of diabetes in Saudi Arabia. The present systematic review aims to estimate the current pooled prevalence of T2DM and related risk factors among the general adult population in Saudi Arabia between 2016 and 2022. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for cross-sectional studies that reported T2DM among adults in Saudi Arabia and were published between December 31, 2016, and December 31, 2022. The PRISMA guidelines and the AXIS tool were employed to report and evaluate study quality and bias risk. Results: The meta-analysis with a fixed effect model included 10 studies comprising 8457 general men and women adults aged 18 or older. The prevalence of T2DM was 28% (95% CI = 27–28, P < .001), and risks of T2DM in persons over 40 were nearly twice as high (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.34–2.27) than in age under 40 among general adult population in Saudi Arabia between 2016–2022. This difference was statistically significant (P < .0001). Conclusion: The evidence from this review provided alarming and highlighted points about the prevalence of T2DM between 2016 and 2022, but there was high heterogeneity between the studies. Individuals aged 40 or older had a high risk of T2DM among the general adult population in Saudi Arabia.

Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior pose significant health concerns, particularly among young adults like college students. However, little research exists on the attitudes towards physical activity among Saudi Arabian healthcare students. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of physical activity and determine the reason for being physically inactive among students and interns across all programs in the College of Applied Medical Sciences (CAMS) at King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between March and May 2023. CAMS students aged 18 and above, fluent in Arabic or English, and willing to participate were included. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to measure physical activity. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Out of 433 respondents, 377 met the inclusion criteria (response rate: 89.3%). Physical activity prevalence was 54.60%, with walking being the most common activity (42.70%). Lack of time was the primary reason for inactivity (51.40%). On average, students engaged in 1.5 hours/day of vigorous-intensity activities and 1.3 hours/day of vigorous-intensity sports and fitness activities at work. Sedentary behavior, characterized by continuous sitting, averaged 5.37 hours per day. Approximately half of CAMS students are physically active, while 20% rely solely on short walks due to time constraints, limited activity hours, or sedentary habits. A lack of time was cited as the primary reason for inactivity by most students. Future research should focus on strategies to enhance physical activity among healthcare students. In addition, academicians and policymakers should propose time-efficient initiatives that accommodate the demanding and busy schedules of healthcare students.

Background: Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation (CR) is an effective management approach for heart failure (HF) patients and is delivered by multidisciplinary teams including physiotherapists (PTs). PT attitudes about delivering CR and barriers that might affect referral have not been explored. Thus, this study is aimed to explore PT attitudes about delivering CR programs to patients with HF and identify factors and barriers that might affect referral decisions. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was disseminated to all PTs in Saudi Arabia between 19 February and 27 June, 2022. The characteristics of the respondents were described using descriptive statistics. Percentages and frequencies were used to report categorical variables. Results: Overall, 553 PTs, 289 (52.30%) male and 264 (47.70%) females, completed the online survey. Of these, 360 (65.1%) strongly agreed that CR would improve patients’ physical fitness and 334 (60.4%) strongly agreed that CR would reduce breathlessness in patients with HF. The majority of PTs (321, 58%) strongly agreed that CR would improve HF patients’ palpitation and fatigue. Out of 553 PTs, 349 (63.1%) strongly agreed that CR would improve patients’ ability to perform daily activities. A hospital-supervised program was the preferred mode of delivering CR programs by 499 (90.20%) of the respondents. Apart from the exercise component, stress management was perceived by 455 (82.30%) as an essential component of CR programs. The most common patient-related factor that strongly influenced referral decisions was “fatigue related to disease” (42%). A lack of CR centers was reported by 59.90% as the most common referring barrier. Conclusion: PTs perceived CR as a successful strategy for patients with HF. Although a supervised hospital-based program with stress management as an essential component aside from the exercise component was perceived as the preferred mode of delivery, CR was lacking, which caused a significant barrier to CR referral from the PTs’ perspective.

Background: Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) is a vital healthcare professional in Saudi Arabia (SA). Many factors regarding the education of RCPs in SA are unknown, including the number of active institutions, levels of education and barriers to promoting the profession. Methods: A cross sectional-based survey was conducted between June 1st, 2020 and September 20th, 2020 in SA to explore the status of RCPs education. Institutions that offered RCP programs were identified through the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Defense academic programs websites. The RCP program directors were invited to participate in an electronic survey. Results: Among the 74 institutions searched, 23 indicated that they offered RC programs. Only 13 (56.52%) responded to the survey. Among all programs, four (17.39%) were inactive, 17 (73.91%) were governmental institutions, and only one (4.35%) obtained a national accreditation. From the 13 respondents, there were 1297 students enrolled and 123 full-time faculty members. None of the institutions reported offering postgraduate RC degrees. The respondents reported many barriers; however, shortage of staff (76.92%), lack of postgraduate programs (69.23%), lack of research activity (69.23%), and ineffective communications between institutions (61.54%) were the most reported barriers. Conclusion: The RC education in SA is developing but not well distributed throughout the country. The shortage of staff and the limited number of postgraduate degree holders potentially contributed to the delay in establishing postgraduate RC degrees, obtaining accreditation, and implementing subspecialties to advance the profession in terms of research and quality of care.

Background: Artificial intelligence is experiencing rapid growth, with continual innovation and advancements in the health care field. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the application of artificial intelligence technologies across various domains of respiratory care. Methods: We conducted a narrative review to examine the latest advancements in the use of artificial intelligence in the field of respiratory care. The search was independently conducted by respiratory care experts, each focusing on their respective scope of practice and area of interest. Results: This review illuminates the diverse applications of artificial intelligence, highlighting its use in areas associated with respiratory care. Artificial intelligence is harnessed across various areas in this field, including pulmonary diagnostics, respiratory care research, critical care or mechanical ventilation, pulmonary rehabilitation, telehealth, public health or health promotion, sleep clinics, home care, smoking or vaping behavior, and neonates and pediatrics. With its multifaceted utility, artificial intelligence can enhance the field of respiratory care, potentially leading to superior health outcomes for individuals under this extensive umbrella. Conclusions: As artificial intelligence advances, elevating academic standards in the respiratory care profession becomes imperative, allowing practitioners to contribute to research and understand artificial intelligence’s impact on respiratory care. The permanent integration of artificial intelligence into respiratory care creates the need for respiratory therapists to positively influence its progression. By participating in artificial intelligence development, respiratory therapists can augment their clinical capabilities, knowledge, and patient outcomes.

Purpose: Burnout syndrome is a significant concern among healthcare workers, particularly in the high-stress environment of ICUs. This study evaluates and compares the levels of burnout among healthcare workers in the ICU and non-ICU settings and to assess the influence of sociodemographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using MBI questionnaire, which measures emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Results: Among 844 participants (51.7% female), most were aged 25– 34 (41.9%), single (46.7%), and worked in non-ICU settings (61.8%). They predominantly worked in governmental hospitals, with 1– 4 years of experience (46.8%), managing 6– 10 patients per shift (36.5%), and working 16– 20 shifts monthly (75.8%). ICU staff reported significantly higher EE (21 [18] vs 11.5 [15], p ≤ 0.0001) and DP (17 [19] vs 8 [12], p ≤ 0.0001), and lower PA (35 [19] vs 42.5 [12], p ≤ 0.0001). Post-hoc analysis showed ICU workers were significantly more prone to moderate (Adj. Resid. = 3.57, p< 0.001) and severe EE (Adj. Resid. = 5.20, p < 0.001). In the DP domain, they were more likely to experience severe DP (Adj. Resid. = 9.22, p< 0.001). Severe burnout in PA was also more likely among ICU staff (Adj. Resid. =5.67, p< 0.001). Nurses and RTs reported higher EE and DP. Married ICU staff had lower EE (OR: 0.453) but higher DP (OR: 1.623). Factors like 6– 8 years of experience, 8-hour shifts, and fewer monthly shifts were associated with reduced EE and higher PA, while additional jobs were linked to increased DP. Conclusion: ICU healthcare workers experienced significant burnout compared to non-ICUs staff, with nurses and RTs being the most affected. Sociodemographic factors such as marital status, years of experience, shift duration, and holding additional jobs increased burnout risk. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions in high-stress environments like the ICU.