Introduction
A health risk assessment (HRA) is a tool used to estimate and evaluate an individual’s or a population’s possible exposure to different health hazards and related risks. The procedure entails identifying risk variables, gathering pertinent data, and analyzing the data to estimate the probability of unfavorable health consequences (Morrisey, 2020). To promote healthier lifestyles, provide medical insurance, and enhance overall public health, health risk assessments are essential (Morrisey, 2020). The purpose of this paper is to analyze the state of practice in Saudi Arabia and assemble a list of best practices that could be implemented in the region.
Frequency and Purposes of Health Risk Assessments in Saudi Arabia
Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) are conducted periodically in Saudi Arabia to assess and manage health hazards for workers, especially those employed in high-risk industries or locations. In this case, the goal of an HRA is to identify potential health concerns, assess the level of risk, and develop appropriate action plans to reduce health risks and promote a safer workplace (Alharbi, 2022). This promotes worker well-being and reduces the incidence of workplace-related health problems. In Saudi Arabia, most workers receive insurance through their employer, who shoulders the costs as part of the hiring arrangement.
Examples of Questions in an HRA
A health risk assessment usually entails inquiries concerning a person’s personal habits, medical history, and lifestyle. Such inquiries could address issues like drinking and smoking, levels of personal activity, the family’s medical history, and other personal health issues (Al-Hanawi et al., 2020). These investigations aim to identify potential health hazards and offer recommendations to enhance overall health while reducing the risk of chronic illness.
Some of the examples of questions found in a Saudi Arabian HRA include the following (Al-Hanawi et al., 2020):
- What is your name, age, and gender?
- Do you have any history of hereditary diseases?
- Do you smoke, drink alcohol, or engage in the use of recreational drugs?
Typically, the questionnaire comprises 20-40 questions, depending on how rigorous the evaluation has to be (Morrisey, 2020). Sometimes respondents are allowed to skip intrusive questions, but not always.
The Impact of an HRA on Risk and Premium Cost
The risk and insurance premium costs are determined in large part by the results of a health risk assessment. An individual’s health condition, lifestyle, and other factors can help insurers better assess prospective health risks and adjust premiums accordingly. Both the insured and the insurance company stand to gain from this procedure, as it will result in more accurate pricing (Potter et al., 2021).
Insurance companies in Saudi Arabia are familiar with the risks associated with insuring individuals engaged in high-risk professions. Since the majority of people in that country are workers brought in from abroad, they tend to enjoy fewer privileges than the country’s citizens (Alharbi, 2022). Nevertheless, understanding the necessity for access to hospital services, the government of Saudi Arabia has made progress in ensuring that foreign workers are properly protected.
Negative Implications of HRAs on Patients with Chronic Illnesses
Health risk assessments may not be beneficial for people who have long-term medical conditions. These evaluations frequently rely on self-reported information, which can lead them to fail to fully reflect the complexity and distinctive experiences of individuals with long-term illnesses (Morissey, 2020). This may result in faulty risk assessments, insufficient assistance, and unsuccessful solutions. Furthermore, because of their health, people with chronic illnesses may experience stigma or be excluded from specific wellness initiatives. To ensure equity and good health outcomes, HRAs must be sensitive, inclusive, and tailored to the needs of people with chronic conditions.
Best Practices for HRA
Finding a balance between customer-oriented approaches, risk awareness, and a reluctance to unnecessary expenditures can be difficult. However, some practices could be implemented within the scope of practice in Saudi Arabia. First, companies should teach their staff members, from the executives to the support personnel, the value of carrying out risk assessments (Edelman & Kudzman, 2021).
To gain their complete support, they must be aware of the advantages such an action will bring to the organization. Then, appropriate departments need to be engaged in the risk assessment process. Additionally, it will be beneficial in educating them about the possible hazards associated with the process (Edelman & Kudzman, 2021). Another good practice is to establish a grading scheme for any hazards that arise during the evaluation.
It is necessary to describe the procedures that the risk assessment policy uses. Providing specifics on the actions the company plans to take and how it will carry them out would enable greater understanding and compliance. Companies should ask everyone for their opinions on how to reduce such risks – doing so would enable employees to feel as though they take an active part in the decision-making process (Edelman & Kudzman, 2021). This strategy cultivates and enables a culture of organizational compliance.
It is possible to use cutting-edge, integrated software to make risk assessment processes easier to understand and more efficient. Using contemporary software allows employees handling high-risk customers to create remediation plans and expand the breadth of risk assessment procedures. Giving staff members the resources they need to manage and reduce risks within their relevant departments would yield better long-term results (Edelman & Kudzman, 2021). Additionally, you must strongly urge them to participate in activities such as incident reporting if any dangers are identified.
Finally, some of the best practices relate to the ethical component of health risk assessments. There is a contradiction between the objectives of an insurance company – to generate profit while ensuring that as many people as possible have access to quality care (Morrisey, 2020). Working closely with health providers would enable a greater understanding of various health issues and help design insurance strategies focused on preventing and improving one’s health, thereby reducing long-term costs. Having doctors and nurses among the insurance staff would greatly improve the efficiency of such a collaboration and involve the company in the decision-making process for patient care (Edelman & Kudzman, 2021). Doing so would allow saving money and reducing costs without damaging the quality of care, thus remaining ethical.
Conclusions
HRAs are an essential part of insurance practices in Saudi Arabia, conducted regularly for all customers to evaluate risks and provide appropriate health insurance plans. This necessity arises because most people in the country have come from abroad. Some of the identified issues with HRAs include staff’s lack of understanding and commitment, insufficient tools, and ethical issues in the industry. To overcome these issues, companies in Saudi Arabia need to strive to find a balance between profit and care, operating from a solid ethical standpoint while creating value for society.
References
Alharbi, A. (2022). Willingness to pay for a National Health Insurance (NHI) in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 951-960.
Al-Hanawi, M. K., Mwale, M. L., & Kamninga, T. M. (2020). The effects of health insurance on health-seeking behaviour: Evidence from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 595-607.
Edelman, C., & Kudzma, E. C. (2021). Health promotion throughout the life span. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Morrisey, M. A. (2020). Health insurance. Health Administration Press. Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., & Hall, A. (2021). Fundamentals of nursing. Elsevier Health Sciences.
