Culturally Sensitive Caring for Saudi Patients

Abstract

The Saudi Arabian health system is mainly staffed by non-Saudi health professionals recruited from all over the world. At times, inadequate cultural awareness by health professionals can render their caring for Saudi patients more challenging than joyful. It is possible, however, that this equation can be easily reversed should the Saudi culture be introduced to health professionals planning to care for Saudis. In this article, a Saudi health professional describes some of the pertinent cultural aspects that could help non-Saudi health professionals improve their awareness about Saudi culture. The religion of Islam is the main, though not the only, factor that shapes the Saudi culture. This article, therefore, could also interest those caring for Arab and Muslim patients worldwide.