Cureus Study Reveals Knowledge Gaps and Barriers Among GPs in Emirates Health Services Primary Care

The Critical Role of General Practitioners in UAE Primary Healthcare

In the United Arab Emirates, primary healthcare serves as the first line of defense for public health, handling everything from routine check-ups to chronic disease management and preventive services. General Practitioners (GPs), the frontline doctors in this system, play a pivotal role in ensuring accessible, high-quality care for the diverse population. With a mix of nationals and expatriates, the UAE's healthcare landscape demands GPs who are adept at addressing common conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory illnesses while navigating cultural sensitivities and high patient volumes.

Emirates Health Services (EHS), the federal entity responsible for primary care in six emirates—Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah—operates 64 primary health centers. These facilities see millions of visits annually, underscoring the importance of well-equipped GPs. Yet, as recent research highlights, challenges persist in equipping these professionals with the latest knowledge and tools for optimal delivery.

The UAE's primary healthcare system has evolved significantly since EHS's establishment in 2022, emphasizing integrated care models, digital health tools, and community outreach. GPs are expected to manage 80% of common ailments without specialist referrals, making their competency crucial for reducing hospital burdens and improving outcomes.

A Groundbreaking Cureus Study on GPs in EHS

A newly published cross-sectional study in Cureus shines a light on the current state of GP preparedness in EHS facilities. Titled "Assessment of General Practitioners’ Knowledge, Needs, and Barriers in Primary Healthcare Delivery in Emirates Health Services, United Arab Emirates," this research is the first to systematically evaluate these aspects across 63 EHS primary health centers.

Conducted between April and June 2025, the study surveyed GPs to gauge their knowledge in key areas such as chronic disease management, preventive care, and emergency protocols. It also identified self-reported barriers and training needs, providing actionable insights for policymakers and health leaders. This timely investigation comes amid UAE's push for healthcare excellence, aligning with Vision 2031 goals for robust primary care.

Study Methodology: A Comprehensive Cross-Sectional Approach

The researchers employed a structured questionnaire distributed to GPs working in EHS centers, ensuring broad representation. Questions covered knowledge scores on topics like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, and vaccination protocols—common in UAE primary care. Barriers were ranked by frequency, while needs focused on continuing medical education (CME) preferences and resource requirements.

With a response rate reflecting real-world participation, the study used statistical analysis to identify significant gaps, such as lower knowledge in specialized preventive strategies. This rigorous design allows for reliable conclusions applicable to EHS's network, highlighting both strengths and areas for targeted intervention.

Key Findings: Moderate Knowledge with Notable Gaps

Overall, GPs demonstrated moderate knowledge levels, averaging 65-70% correct responses across core domains. Strengths emerged in hypertension management (78% proficiency) and basic diabetes care (72%), reflecting routine exposure. However, gaps were evident in asthma action plans (52%) and pediatric vaccination schedules (58%), where outdated protocols or limited exposure contributed to lower scores.

Preventive care knowledge, vital for UAE's focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), scored 62%, with misconceptions around screening frequencies. These gaps risk suboptimal patient outcomes, particularly in a population with rising NCD prevalence—diabetes affects 12.3% of adults per recent UAE stats.

Top Barriers Hindering Effective Primary Care Delivery

The study pinpointed workload as the primary barrier, cited by 82% of GPs, with average daily patient loads exceeding 50. Lack of updated clinical guidelines (65%) and insufficient CME opportunities (58%) followed closely. Resource constraints, like limited diagnostic tools in rural centers, affected 45%, while language barriers with diverse patients posed challenges for 32%.

• Heavy patient volume limits time for thorough assessments.
• Infrequent guideline updates lead to reliance on personal experience.
• CME access hindered by scheduling conflicts and costs.
• Diagnostic equipment shortages delay referrals.
• Cultural and linguistic diversity complicates communication.

These barriers compound in EHS's high-volume centers, where expatriate GPs (over 80% of workforce) may face additional adaptation hurdles.

GPs' Expressed Needs for Enhanced Competency

GPs prioritized structured CME programs (92%), especially online modules for flexibility. Updated, localized guidelines ranked second (85%), followed by hands-on workshops on NCD management (78%). Digital tools for patient education and telehealth integration were sought by 70%, aligning with UAE's digital health push.

Many called for mentorship programs pairing senior GPs with juniors, addressing knowledge silos. These needs reflect a proactive workforce eager to bridge gaps, potentially through EHS's existing training platforms.

Implications for Patient Care and Health Outcomes in UAE

Knowledge gaps translate to real risks: suboptimal asthma control could increase emergency visits by 20-30%, per regional data. Barriers like workload contribute to burnout, with UAE GP turnover rates at 15% annually. Addressing these could boost preventive care adherence, reducing NCD burden—diabetes complications cost EHS billions yearly.

For patients, empowered GPs mean earlier interventions, better chronic management, and fewer hospitalizations, supporting UAE's goal of 100% primary care coverage.EHS statistics portal shows rising visits, demanding skilled GPs.

UAE Healthcare Reforms and EHS's Strategic Response

UAE's healthcare vision emphasizes primary care as the cornerstone, with EHS investing in digital platforms like Nahdi app for appointments. Reforms include mandatory CME credits for relicensing and GP residency programs. The study reinforces these, urging tailored training for EHS GPs.

Recent initiatives: EHS's 2026 training expansion for 1,000+ healthcare workers, focusing on NCDs. Partnerships with universities like UAEU enhance GP education pipelines.

Recommendations: Bridging Gaps Through Targeted Interventions

Study authors recommend:

• Mandatory annual CME with EHS-specific modules.
• Digital guideline apps for quick access.
• Workload optimization via nurse-led triage.
• Multilingual resources for diverse patients.
• Regular audits and feedback loops.

Implementing these could elevate knowledge to 85%+, per similar interventions elsewhere.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Voices from UAE Healthcare Leaders

EHS CEO emphasizes training investments, noting 20% GP upskilling in 2025. Medical associations call for national GP competency frameworks. Patients advocate better access, highlighting GP role in holistic care amid UAE's expat-majority population.

Future Outlook: Strengthening UAE Primary Care

With UAE's healthcare spend at 5.4% GDP, investing in GPs yields high ROI. Future: AI-assisted diagnostics, expanded telehealth, university-EHS collaborations for research. The Cureus study positions EHS as leader in evidence-based improvements.

Actionable Insights for GPs and Policymakers

GPs: Pursue self-directed learning via EHS portals. Leaders: Prioritize study recommendations for 2026 budgets. Collaborative efforts promise resilient primary care, safeguarding UAE's health future.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash