Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42199983›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of general medicine2026

Patient Educational Needs and Communication Barriers in Dermatology Clinics in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Fawwaz Freih Alshammarie, Aala Alhobera, Maryam Alshammari

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Article in International journal of general medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Fawwaz Freih AlshammarieDermatology Department, University of Hail, Ministry of Education, Hail, Saudi Arabia.
Aala AlhoberaPediatric Dermatology Division of Medical Pediatrics Department, Maternity and Children Hospital, Ministry of Health, Hail, 55432, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0009-0007-4006-5895
Maryam AlshammariFamily Medicine Department, Hail Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Hail, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: Understanding patient perspectives is essential to improving quality and satisfaction of care in dermatology clinics. In Saudi Arabia, limited national data exist on patients' educational needs and communication barriers. This study aimed to assess patient satisfaction, identify educational gaps, and explore communication challenges in dermatology clinics across Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: A national cross-sectional survey was conducted among 976 dermatology patients. A structured questionnaire evaluated demographics, perceived knowledge, satisfaction with information provided, communication barriers, and preferred educational methods. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for analysis. Results: Among participants who had attended dermatology clinics (n = 795), 61.6% reported frequent or occasional confusion about their condition, and only 45.4% demonstrated high self-reported knowledge. Overall satisfaction was moderate, with 58.3% satisfied or very satisfied, while 9.9% reported dissatisfaction. The most reported communication barriers were limited consultation time (25.2%) and patient anxiety about asking questions (15.3%). Patients felt least informed about treatment options (22.6%), diagnosis (20.3%), and potential side effects (19.3%). Most participants (70.6%) preferred language communication to be in Arabic, and 78% favored face-to-face education consultation. Patient knowledge, barriers and preferences significantly differed with age, gender, and condition complexity (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dermatology patients in Saudi Arabia report moderate satisfaction with substantial educational needs and communication barriers. Addressing consultation time constraints, fostering supportive communication environments, and providing patient-centered, language-appropriate education; particularly through face-to-face interactions will aid to enhance understanding, satisfaction, and engagement in for overall better provider-patient dermatologic care.

Indexed as

consultation timecross-sectional surveyhealthcare communicationHealthcare communicationhealth literacyknowledge gapspatient-centered careSaudi Arabia

Identifiers

PMID42199983
PMCPMC13199863

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