CONTENT ANALYSIS OF MEDICAL SOCIOLOGY PROGRAMS FOR DIABETES PATIENTS IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most widespread chronic diseases worldwide and represents a growing medical, social, and economic challenge due to its long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the rapid increase in diabetes prevalence has placed substantial pressure on healthcare systems and highlighted the need to move beyond a purely biomedical approach toward more integrated models of care that incorporate social and psychosocial dimensions. This study aims to analyze the content of medical sociology programs provided to patients with diabetes in government hospitals in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on assessing the extent to which social, psychological, and community-based aspects are embedded within institutional health programs. The study adopts a qualitative content analysis methodology to examine official documents, national strategies, awareness campaigns, clinical guidelines, and digital health initiatives issued by the Saudi Ministry of Health and related institutions. NVivo software was used to support systematic coding, categorization, and thematic analysis. The findings reveal a strong institutional emphasis on medical awareness, prevention, and clinical management of diabetes, while structured psychosocial support and family-based interventions remain limited. The role of the medical social worker is weakly defined within multidisciplinary care teams, and patient participation is largely framed within a compliance-oriented model rather than a social empowerment perspective. Although digital health initiatives have improved access to services, they insufficiently address social and educational inequalities among patients. The study concludes that diabetes programs in Saudi government hospitals reflect a partial transition toward comprehensive care; however, the integration of medical sociology remains incomplete. Strengthening psychosocial interventions, activating the professional role of medical social workers, and embedding sociological perspectives in program design are essential for improving treatment adherence and enhancing the quality of life of patients with diabetes.