Smart Emergency Departments and the Role of Technological Solutions in Supporting Professional Collaboration between Emergency Medicine Specialists and Nursing Staff in Saudi Hospitals

Abstract

Effective collaboration between emergency medicine specialists and nurses is critical for patient safety, yet it is often challenged in high-pressure Emergency Departments (EDs). While Smart Hospital initiatives deploy advanced technologies to improve ED workflows, a significant knowledge gap exists regarding their actual impact on interprofessional collaboration, particularly within the unique context of Saudi Arabian healthcare. This study therefore investigated the role of Smart ED technologies in supporting professional collaboration in Saudi hospitals. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed across three tertiary-care EDs in Riyadh. Quantitative data from 284 physicians and nurses were analyzed using regression and ANOVA, revealing a strong positive association between technology use and collaboration (*r*=.672, *p*<.001), explaining 45.1% of variance. Qualitative data from 24 participants contextualized this finding, showing that collaboration gains were strongest with technologies enabling shared situational awareness (e.g., AI triage), whereas communication tools often reinforced professional silos. Critically, a significant interaction effect (β=.123, *p*=.029) indicated that the positive relationship was stronger for physicians than nurses, a disparity linked to asymmetric workflow integration and training. The findings demonstrate that technology's impact on collaboration is contingent and mediated by professional role, suggesting that future implementations require equitable, workflow-conscious design to achieve truly collaborative benefits.