Conceptualization and establishment of value-based healthcare in Saudi Arabia: A scoping review

Objectives: Value-based healthcare (VBHC) represents a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery through optimizing patient outcomes relative to the costs of achieving those outcomes. This scoping review is aimed at revealing critical insights into the conceptualization and establishment of VBHC in the context of Saudi Arabia, a nation in a critical stage of healthcare transformation. Methods: A scoping review was conducted by using online databases and official websites with a timeframe of 2017–2023. This review included 14 pieces of literature, comprising six research articles, six government documents, and two reports. Results: The findings highlight increasing alignment with the definition of global VBHC principles, notably the emphasis on patient outcomes as a primary metric of healthcare value. Furthermore, financial reform has signaled a real move toward VBHC in the Kingdom, through a gradual shift from volume-based payments to value-based payments. However, the diverse interpretations and applications of VBHC across the examined literature indicate a promising stage of implementation characterized by evolving definitions and practices tailored to local needs and constraints. Conclusion: This scoping review describes the current landscape of VBHC conceptualization and establishment, highlighting the substantial progress achieved and the future challenges.