# Knowledge Translation of Healthcare Research in Saudi Arabia—Implications for Community Health and Primary Care Under the New Saudi Model of Care: A Narrative Review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how knowledge translation can improve community health and primary care in Saudi Arabia under the new healthcare model.

## Contribution

The paper provides a narrative review on applying knowledge translation in Saudi Arabia's evolving healthcare system.

## Key findings

- KT is underutilized in Saudi community health despite advances in health research.
- Stakeholder engagement and frameworks like knowledge to action are crucial for effective KT.
- Future efforts should focus on KT training and partnerships among stakeholders.

## Abstract

Knowledge translation (KT) is an essential process in bridging the gap between research evidence and healthcare practice, particularly in community health and primary care settings. In Saudi Arabia, KT is gaining increasing importance as the healthcare system undergoes a major transformation under Saudi Vision 2030 and the new Saudi Model of Care. The new model of care emphasizes the importance of healthy communities and primary care as early elements of healthcare service delivery before reaching the secondary and tertiary healthcare levels. Additionally, healthcare transformation under Saudi Vision 2030 encourages the utilization of evidence and KT to improve healthcare services provided to individuals and enhance the standardization of healthcare delivery. Nonetheless, the application of KT principles in community health and primary care contexts has faced some challenges during the period preceding the establishment of the new Saudi Model of Care. While Saudi Arabia has achieved significant advances in health research and institutional capacity building, KT remains underutilized in local community health initiatives. This narrative review aims to provide a conceptual overview of KT and explore its implications within the contexts of community health and primary care in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the review introduces the key components of KT—evidence synthesis, dissemination, exchange, and application—and examines how these can be implemented in community and primary care contexts. The review emphasizes the necessity of stakeholder engagement, community-based participatory research, and the integration of frameworks such as the knowledge to action and social–ecological models to ensure effective KT in community health settings. Future directions should focus on expanding KT training, promoting its integration across health institutions involved in primary care delivery, and sustaining community health through strong partnerships among academic, governmental, and community stakeholders.