Multi-level barriers to non-communicable disease healthcare quality management in the United Arab Emirates: a synthesis of qualitative studies
1
School of Health Sciences, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3047
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
As part of a multi-phase study examining healthcare quality management (HQM) for cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and diabetes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),¹ a synthesis mapped existing practices and system-level challenges, guided by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) quality domains,² the Donabedian model,³ and World Health Organization (WHO) quality indicators.⁴ The scoping review identified substantial variation in how quality is conceptualised and implemented across non-communicable disease (NCD) care pathways, with equity inconsistently addressed despite its central role in quality frameworks.⁵ This study aimed to understand barriers and facilitators influencing HQM for CVD, diabetes and obesity in the UAE through a subset analysis of qualitative studies from the scoping review dataset.
METHODS:
A comprehensive search across PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest databases, supplemented by grey literature from UAE and international organisations, identified 549 records on HQM for the relevant NCDs in the UAE (2015–2025). Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines,⁶ 19 qualitative studies were included. Inductive thematic analysis was performed, and themes were mapped to IOM framework domains.⁷ Quality appraisal of the included studies was conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative studies.⁸
RESULTS:
Five major themes emerged. Sociocultural determinants included barriers (cultural norms, stigma) and facilitators (social support networks) that influenced health behaviours and care-seeking patterns, particularly among vulnerable populations. Health literacy gaps limited engagement and behaviour change. Digital health innovation facilitated care delivery; however, resource inequity and digital skills gaps constrained implementation. Health system barriers included inadequate infrastructure, training gaps, and weak intersectoral collaboration. Policy and governance constraints reflected fragmented regulatory frameworks and limited integration of healthcare professionals in NCD management.
CONCLUSIONS:
Challenges spanned sociocultural, educational, technological, infrastructural, and governance domains. Equity considerations are crucial, as they impact access, engagement, and outcomes.
As part of a multi-phase study examining healthcare quality management (HQM) for cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and diabetes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),¹ a synthesis mapped existing practices and system-level challenges, guided by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) quality domains,² the Donabedian model,³ and World Health Organization (WHO) quality indicators.⁴ The scoping review identified substantial variation in how quality is conceptualised and implemented across non-communicable disease (NCD) care pathways, with equity inconsistently addressed despite its central role in quality frameworks.⁵ This study aimed to understand barriers and facilitators influencing HQM for CVD, diabetes and obesity in the UAE through a subset analysis of qualitative studies from the scoping review dataset.
METHODS:
A comprehensive search across PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest databases, supplemented by grey literature from UAE and international organisations, identified 549 records on HQM for the relevant NCDs in the UAE (2015–2025). Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines,⁶ 19 qualitative studies were included. Inductive thematic analysis was performed, and themes were mapped to IOM framework domains.⁷ Quality appraisal of the included studies was conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative studies.⁸
RESULTS:
Five major themes emerged. Sociocultural determinants included barriers (cultural norms, stigma) and facilitators (social support networks) that influenced health behaviours and care-seeking patterns, particularly among vulnerable populations. Health literacy gaps limited engagement and behaviour change. Digital health innovation facilitated care delivery; however, resource inequity and digital skills gaps constrained implementation. Health system barriers included inadequate infrastructure, training gaps, and weak intersectoral collaboration. Policy and governance constraints reflected fragmented regulatory frameworks and limited integration of healthcare professionals in NCD management.
CONCLUSIONS:
Challenges spanned sociocultural, educational, technological, infrastructural, and governance domains. Equity considerations are crucial, as they impact access, engagement, and outcomes.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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