Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Digital Systems in Improving Multidisciplinary Coordination Within Emergency Departments in Saudi Hospitals

Abstract

Emergency Departments operate in highly complex environments where ineffective multidisciplinary coordination remains a persistent challenge, often intensified by fragmented information flow and inconsistent use of digital health systems. Despite widespread digital transformation in healthcare, empirical evidence evaluating the effectiveness of digital systems in improving multidisciplinary coordination within Emergency Departments, particularly in Saudi hospitals, remained limited. Addressing this gap was essential to determine whether digital systems translated into measurable coordination benefits in high-pressure clinical settings. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of digital system utilization in enhancing multidisciplinary coordination within Emergency Departments of Saudi hospitals. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed, involving 420 Emergency Department healthcare professionals from tertiary public and private hospitals. Data were collected using validated structured questionnaires measuring digital system utilization, communication efficiency, workflow integration, clinical decision timeliness, and overall multidisciplinary coordination. Reliability analysis confirmed strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.85). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Digital system utilization showed a strong positive association with multidisciplinary coordination (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed digital system utilization as the strongest predictor of coordination (β = 0.42, p < 0.001), explaining 63% of the variance in coordination outcomes (R² = 0.63). The study concluded that effective utilization of digital systems significantly strengthened multidisciplinary coordination in Emergency Departments. These findings provided empirical evidence supporting digital health integration as a critical operational enabler in emergency care and informed future healthcare system optimization strategies.