Gig Health vs eHealth: Future Prospects in Saudi Arabian Health-Care System

Abstract

Introduction The number of gig workers has been rising across the world, reflecting the growing trend toward the gig economy, which is already functioning in various sectors, such as transport(eg, Uber), technology (eg, Appen), and others (eg, Upwork). However, application of gig economy in health care is underresearched, especially in areas of eHealth that can facilitate various online activities and be outsourced. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the gig economy and eHealth in terms of prospects for future health care in Saudi Arabia. Methods Analysis of data collected using online semistructured interviews with 19 experts, including executives from ministries of health and information and communications, physicians, and health-care administrative managers was conducted and new empirical insights are offered. Results A lack of legal and regulatory frameworks and integrating gig culture into the eHealth system were identified to be the major challenges. Improved operational efficiency of health care, reduced costs, and positive societal impact were identified to be the opportunities and benefits of using the gig economy and eHealth in Saudi Arabia. A strategic framework and an effective regulatory framework are essential for integrating the gig economy into the eHealth system in Saudi Arabia and improving future health care by adopting innovative artificial intelligence and machine-learning technologies. Conclusion eHealth has major scope for future health-care operations in Saudi Arabia and use of the gig economy in eHealth may lead to effective management of eHealth operations. More studies are required to evaluate the idea of integrating the gig economy and eHealth and analyze its impact.

Navigating the Saudi Gig Economy: The Role of Human Resource Practices in Enhancing Job Satisfaction and Career Sustainability

“…It revolves around the completion of discrete "gigs" or individual tasks, with all aspects of the work contracts defined by the specific task, including its duration, mode of delivery, and compensation [16,27]. In the Saudi Arabian context, gig work enables individuals to work independently on specific gigs or tasks offered by organizations without formal employment mechanisms but relying on contractual agreements [13,14,28]. Cropanzano et al [29] highlight how gig work alters the traditional psychological contract, affecting job security and necessitating adaptations such as job crafting and identity management.…”

“…Scholars such as AL-Dossary [28] and Alanzi [13] have emphasized the gig economy's potential within the healthcare sector, highlighting its ability to address challenges faced by the nursing workforce and facilitate the outsourcing of various online activities. Alanzi [14] further expands on the gig infrastructure, categorizing it into three areas of service: gig workers, clients, and intermediaries. In terms of entrepreneurship, Al-Mamary [31] asserts that gig work, as a significant aspect of entrepreneurship, plays a pivotal role in shaping a country's economic landscape.…”

“…Alanzi [13,14] explored the potential of integrating the gig economy into the Saudi Arabian healthcare system. They identify several prospects associated with the use of the gig economy in the healthcare system, such as regional development, the availability of high-demand and specialized skill sets, improved access to healthcare services, and effective healthcare service management.…”

Proposing a Method Based on Artificial Neural Network for Predicting Alignment between the Saudi Nursing Workforce and the Gig Framework

“…In addition, the elimination of the Kafala sponsorship system (in which an employee's visa status is dependent on their employer) grants foreign nationals more adaptability in terms of where they work and when they enter and leave the country [20]. eHealth services, both those provided remotely and those delivered in hospitals, have been the primary focus of research into the potential for the gig economy's integration into the Saudi Arabian healthcare system as part of digitalization [21][22][23][24]. The gig economy's usefulness and advantages have been examined from a number of angles, and the findings are encouraging and persuasive.…”

“…The gig economy's usefulness and advantages have been examined from a number of angles, and the findings are encouraging and persuasive. Sustainable healthcare development, motivation for the Saudization program, economic growth through job creation [21], improved access via remote services, efficient delivery of healthcare services [22][23][24], better doctor-patient relationships [25,26], etc., are just some of the many areas where the gig economy has proven its worth. The implementation of the gig economy and the variables influencing alignment with the GEF were studied in [27].…”