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. 2025 May;46(5):529-544.
doi: 10.15537/smj.2025.46.5.20250048.

Exploring communication challenges with children and parents among pharmacists in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Mustafa A Malki  1 , Rahaf A Alnemary  1 , Sarah K Alabbasi  1 , Dania M Almanea  1
Affiliations

Exploring communication challenges with children and parents among pharmacists in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Mustafa A Malki et al. Saudi Med J. 2025 May.

Abstract

Objectives: To identify trends and challenges in pharmacists' communication with pediatric patients in Saudi Arabia. It also studies the potential factors affecting their overall performance.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 170 pharmacists working in different healthcare settings in Saudi Arabia was carried out. A novel comprehensive 38-item survey questionnaire was utilized. The questionnaire comprised 2 main sections: demographic data and potential influencing factors and communication skills with children. The communication domain assessed the degree to which the pharmacist could communicate with a child in 7 main areas. Comparisons of communication performance were carried out by Chi-square tests, and associations with 24 factors were determined by logistic regression analyses.

Results: Approximately 76% of pharmacists demonstrated unsatisfactory communication with children (p=8.47×10-10). Approximately 91% of pharmacists depended on speaking to parents rather than directly talking to children, even when present (p=7.791×10-26). In addition, although 88.23% of pharmacists expressed high confidence in their communication skills (p=9.899×10-24), their actual performance with children in different age groups showed that 63.52% performed poorly, while only 36.46% demonstrated good performance (p=4.2×10-4). Factors which might be associated with pharmacists' performance were identified.

Conclusion: Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia face significant challenges in communicating with pediatric patients. Targeted training is needed to improve communication skills, medication adherence, and children's health outcomes.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; communication; pediatric patients; pharmacists.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
- Flowchart of study participant selection.
Figure 1
Figure 1
- Results from both Chi-squared and Binomial tests showing difference from a pre-defined expected proportion of 50% for each primary outcome variable. Results from both tests are similar.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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