METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in neurology clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City for National Guard and Prince Sultan Military Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from August to December 2018. The migraine-specific QOL questionnaire (MSQ), version 2.1, was used to measure restrictive, preventive, and emotional domains. The sum of the item responses ranged between 0 and 100, with higher scores indicating better QOL. A descriptive analysis of numerical variables was reported in terms of means and standard deviation, while categorical variables were described using frequencies and percentages. RESULTS: A total of 300 migraine patients completed the questionnaire; 67% were females. Age of participants ranged from 20 to 53 years, with mean age of 34.21 (SD=7.26). The mean score in the QOL restrictive domain was 51.8 ± 19, whereas the mean scores for preventive and emotional domains were 54 ± 18 and 46.3 ± 23.4, respectively. Low QOL scores were associated with young ages, long disease duration, frequent migraine attacks, and presence of chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: Chronic migraine has a negative impact on QOL, predominantly in young patients, patients with frequent attacks, those not using preventive medications, and those suffering from chronic diseases....

To explore the knowledge, practice, barriers and reported self-confidence of family medicine (FM) residents in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in performing minor surgical procedures (MSP). A cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing questionnaires to 267 family medicine residents in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between May and July 2016. The questionnaire includes 7 categories with 71 questions about: knowledge, interest, experience and confidence in performing different MSPs, prior training in MSPs, perceived barriers to performing MSPs and ways to improve basic surgical skills. The response rate was 71.9%. Residents had a mean knowledge score of 15.75% and a mean interest score of 10.4 out of 12. Out of 23 MSPs surveyed, residents had performed a mean average of 9.18. The mean of residents' confidence scores was 26.6 out of 63. The most common barrier to performing MSPs was a lack of training (n=115; 59.9%), while the least common barrier was a lack of interest (n=113; 58.9%). Participants consider intensive education to be the the most effective way to improve their performance, while increasing the duration of some rotations found to be the least effective way for improvement. A majority of FM residents were interested in MSP, but had low perceived knowledge, low reported confidence and infrequent practice. Family medicine programs should provide continuous standardized training by a qualified and interested trainer within the FM setting.

Background: Recent data suggest that pediatric emergency department (ED) revisits within 72 h have increased globally, particularly during recent respiratory illness surges, potentially straining healthcare resources. This study is aimed at identifying reasons for these revisits and describe management outcomes for children aged 0–14 years. Methods: A cross‐sectional chart review was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh from March 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023. The study included Saudi nationals aged 0–14 years who revisited the ED within 72 h of their initial visit; noncitizen children were excluded. Data captured included demographics, medical history, and details of both initial and revisits (reason for visit, assessment, and management). Results: Three hundred Saudi children were included; 31% were aged 0–3 years, and approximately 60% were male. Twenty‐six percent had chronic medical conditions, with asthma exacerbation being most common (12%). Persistent cough accounted for the highest proportion of revisits (34%). Antibiotics were prescribed in 28% of initial visits and 29% of revisits. Reassurance was provided in 27% of initial visits and 27% of revisits. The 0–3 year age group showed significantly higher rates of admission and discharge. Conclusion: Persistent respiratory symptoms (especially cough and dyspnea) were the most frequent reasons for pediatric ED revisits, with asthma as the prevalent chronic condition. Improving initial diagnosis and management is essential to reduce avoidable revisits. Future research comparing presurge and postsurge periods could clarify if revisit reasons change over time.

Objective: In recent years, family medicine (FM) has shown many changes, including the development of sub-specialization. This study aimed to explore the opinions, preferences, and practices of Saudi family physicians with regard to sub-specialization within family practice. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2018. Data were collected from 561 Saudi FM board-certified physicians and family medicine residents from all over SA via personal emails using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of questions aimed at examining participants’ opinions, preferences, and practices with regard to sub-specialization in family practice. Results: Only 48 family doctors (20.2%) had the qualification of subspecialist. Diabetology was the most common clinical subspecialty. The majority of participants agreed with the statements in favor of sub-specialization in FM. About 73% approved of the idea of sub-specialization in FM, while 89% thought that sub-specialization would provide a source of expertise within the FM context. The most stated reasons to go for FM subspecialties were to earn more experience (65.1%), gain some sense of control of huge knowledge and skills of FM (53.7%), and earning extra money (47.8%). Conclusions: This study revealed that majority of certified family physicians and FM residents in SA have positive attitude towards sub-specialization in FM and support the idea of sub-specialization to be practiced within the context of FM

Background/Objectives: Saudi Health consumers increasingly rely on generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to access health information from a growing number of health-related resources. Little is known about the frequency and patterns of generative AI tool use for seeking health information among consumers, its reported impact, and health consumers’ perceptions of these tools. This study aims to investigate the use of and perspectives on generative AI tools among health consumers in Saudi Arabia (SA). It also aims to assess the impact of their use on health-seeking behaviours. Methods: An exploratory, cross-sectional, self-administered online survey was distributed to adults (≥18 years) residing in SA during two data collection rounds in 2026 (March–April and July–August). All adults who used generative AI tools to seek online health information in the past year were included. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine relationships among variables. Results: A total of 403 eligible health consumers (58% male) participated. Among respondents who had used generative AI for health purposes, approximately 49% reported using it more than five times per month. Younger age, higher income, and more frequent pre-use were associated with higher odds of frequent seeking health information behaviour. Headache, abdominal pain, and musculoskeletal pain were the most common claims. ChatGPT was the main platform (84%) used for seeking information. Age was significantly negatively associated with frequency, whereas income and pre-visit use were positively associated. The primary reasons for seeking health information via generative AI were quick information retrieval (71%), time saving (34%), and curiosity (30.5%). Conclusions: The high frequency of use suggests that generative AI can serve as a source of health information and may lead users to withhold health information from healthcare providers. It may influence subsequent health-seeking behaviours, such as requesting urgent care or postponing physician visits. These self-reported findings do not establish diagnostic accuracy, clinical effectiveness, or patient safety, and the clinical risk and appropriateness of self-management actions were not assessed. Many respondents reported concerns about inaccurate information, missed serious illness, and increased health anxiety.