Perceived barriers to research engagement among anesthesia care providers in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study
TL;DR
Despite strong research motivation, anesthesia care providers in Saudi Arabia face substantial structural barriers and addressing protected time, mentorship, and institutional support may strengthen research engagement and foster a sustainable research culture within anesthesia departments.
Abstract
Background Research engagement among healthcare professionals is essential for advancing evidence-based practice and improving patient outcomes. In anesthesia, research informs perioperative safety, clinical decision-making, and innovation. This study aimed to identify and describe perceived barriers to research engagement among anesthesia care providers in Saudi Arabia, a population not previously examined in this setting. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and August 2025 among anesthesia technicians, technologists, anesthesiologists, and academicians across Saudi Arabia. A structured, web-based questionnaire assessed demographic characteristics and perceived barriers across three domains: personal/professional, workplace, and institutional factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and are presented as median (interquartile range [IQR]) or frequency (%). Results A total of 120 participants completed the survey. The median age was 34 years (IQR 27–39), and 79% (95/120) were male. Although 75% (90/120) reported motivation to engage in research and 69% (83/120) perceived adequate research skills, only 41% (49/120) reported having dedicated research time. Administrative workload limited research productivity for 47% (56/120) of participants, and only 23% (28/120) reported protected workplace research time. At the institutional level, 43% (52/120) reported financial support for research, whereas 57% (68/120) agreed that institutional resources were sufficient. Structural constraints were reported more frequently than lack of individual motivation. Conclusion Despite strong research motivation, anesthesia care providers in Saudi Arabia face substantial structural barriers. Addressing protected time, mentorship, and institutional support may strengthen research engagement and foster a sustainable research culture within anesthesia departments.