Mapping the evidence on emergency medical services and disaster preparedness in Saudi Arabia: a scoping review

<p>Saudi Arabia has rapidly expanded and modernized its Emergency Medical Services (EMS), but the published evidence relevant to disaster preparedness is heterogeneous and spans direct preparedness research, EMS system-development studies, and contextual workforce evidence. This scoping review mapped these distinct evidence streams and identified gaps in disaster-specific readiness, education, coordination, workforce support, and resource distribution. The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and was reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR. Databases were searched from inception to May 2026. Eligible publications addressed EMS system development, disaster or major-incident preparedness and response, or workforce, educational, organizational, resource, and technological factors relevant to emergency response capacity in the Saudi context. Evidence was charted by design, population, or unit of analysis, topic, and degree of relevance to disaster preparedness, then synthesized narratively. A total of 22 studies met the inclusion criteria. Evidence clustered into four domains: EMS system development and healthcare transformation; disaster preparedness and response challenges; education, training, and workforce competency; and ethical and professional challenges. The literature documented substantial progress in infrastructure, technology, and workforce development, while repeatedly identifying gaps in disaster-specific training, simulation exposure, interagency coordination, resource distribution, leadership competencies, and role clarity during mass-casualty incidents. The Saudi literature contains a relatively small body of direct evidence on EMS disaster preparedness alongside a broader literature on EMS development and workforce factors that might shape preparedness capacity. The review mapped these evidence streams rather than rating national preparedness and identified priorities for standardized measurement, simulation-based education, interagency evaluation, and longitudinal research.</p>