Enhancing Maternal and Pediatric Care Through Interprofessional Collaboration: A Review of Health Assistant and Clinical Support Roles in Specialized Saudi Hospitals

Abstract

Interprofessional collaboration has emerged as a critical framework for improving maternal and pediatric healthcare outcomes in contemporary hospital systems. This review examines the roles of health assistants and clinical support staff within specialized Saudi Arabian hospitals, exploring how collaborative practice models enhance care delivery, patient safety, and clinical efficiency. Through systematic analysis of peer-reviewed literature and examination of role delineation within multidisciplinary teams, this study identifies key mechanisms through which laboratory technicians, pharmacy technicians, health informatics specialists, and administrative personnel contribute to maternal-child health services. Findings reveal that effective interprofessional collaboration requires structured communication protocols, clearly defined role boundaries, mutual respect among team members, and institutional support systems. Barriers to collaboration include hierarchical organizational cultures, inadequate training in teamwork competencies, and insufficient recognition of support staff contributions. The Saudi healthcare context presents unique opportunities for implementing collaborative frameworks within rapidly modernizing hospital infrastructures. This review demonstrates that systematic integration of clinical support roles into maternal-pediatric care teams correlates with reduced medication errors, improved laboratory turnaround times, enhanced health information management, and more efficient resource allocation. Recommendations emphasize the necessity of formal interprofessional education, standardized competency frameworks, and policy reforms recognizing the essential contributions of health assistants and clinical support professionals.