As healthcare systems across the Middle East accelerate their digital transformation journeys, a new paradigm is emerging – one that blends precision medicine, artificial intelligence (AI), and clinical decision support (CDS) to deliver safer, smarter, and more personalized care. At a recent executive Think Tank hosted in Dubai, healthcare leaders, clinicians, and digital health experts gathered to explore how clinical decision support solutions are enabling this transformation.
Precision medicine: A 360-degree view of the patient
“Precision medicine is not just about genomics – it’s about integrating behavioural, environmental, and clinical data to deliver truly personalized care,” said Dr. Osama Elhassan, PhD, FIAHSI, Chairman of ZIMAM Digital Health Association. “We’re moving from a one-size-fits all model to a 4P approach: personalized, predictive, preventive, and participatory.”
This shift is being accelerated by national initiatives like the UAE Genome Project, which has sequenced over one million Emirati genomes, and by the growing adoption of CDS tools that translate complex data into actionable insights at the point of care.
Empowering clinicians with evidence-based precision
At the heart of this transformation is evidence-based clinical decision support. Used by millions of clinicians globally, these tools provide real-time, peer-reviewed guidance across a wide range of specialties.
“Clinical decision support has become our clinical compass,” said Dr. Ibrahim Abu-Gheida, Chief Medical Officer of Burjeel Cancer Institute and the Clinical Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Burjeel Medical City. “It’s not just about convenience – it’s about confidence. Our clinicians feel reassured knowing they’re making decisions backed by the latest evidence.”
Christian Cella, Vice President and General Manager, International segment, Wolters Kluwer Health, emphasized the role of CDS in reducing variability in care: “Whether you’re in Abu Dhabi or Addis Ababa, clinical decision support ensures that every patient receives care aligned with global best practices.”
Precision in prescribing
Medication safety is a cornerstone of precision medicine – and a persistent challenge. “We’re seeing an explosion of new drug approvals, complex regimens, and pharmacogenomic considerations,” noted Jordan Fulcher, Clinical Solutions Consultant, Wolters Kluwer. “That’s where clinical decision support tools come in.”
These tools offer comprehensive drug information, IV compatibility data, and patient education materials, while also providing real-time alerts for drug interactions, contraindications, and dosing errors – integrated directly into the electronic medical record (EMR).
Dr. Manal Al Nemari, Digital Health Adoption Lead, Chapter Lead, Accountable Care, Clinical Data & Automation Lead, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia highlighted the impact: “With advanced clinical decision-support technologies, we’ve dramatically reduced override rates and elevated alert relevance. This isn’t just about flagging potential risks – it’s about leveraging intelligent automation and real-time data to guide clinicians toward safer, evidence-based alternatives, ultimately transforming patient safety and care quality.”
AI and CDS: A responsible partnership
While generative AI tools like ChatGPT are gaining popularity, experts at the Think Tank cautioned against their use in clinical decision-making without rigorous validation.
“AI can hallucinate. Clinical decision support doesn’t. Enhanced AI search in UpToDate® doesn’t generate new content – it retrieves trusted, editor-reviewed answers word for word,” said Fulcher.
From clicks to clinical impact
Beyond point-of-care support, clinical decision support solutions also offer powerful analytics. “We’re not just tracking usage – we’re translating it into insights,” said Fulcher. “We can show hospitals what clinicians are searching for, how that aligns with prescribing patterns, and where there are gaps in knowledge or compliance.”
Integration and accessibility: Meeting clinicians where they are
To maximize impact, clinical decision support tools must be embedded into clinical workflows. “The ideal solution is one click away – within the EMR, mobile app, or even Microsoft Copilot,” said Fulcher. “We’re building a hub-and-spoke model where trusted content is accessible wherever clinicians need it.”
We’re seeing an explosion of new drug approvals, complex regimens, and pharmacogenomic considerations. That’s where clinical decision support tools come in.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Dammas, Chief Data Officer at the Saudi Council of Health Insurance, stressed the importance of seamless access: “If it’s not integrated, it’s not used. Single sign-on, mobile optimization, and HL7 integration are no longer nice-to haves – they’re must-haves.”
While the clinical benefits are clear, the financial case is equally compelling. “CDS tools reduce adverse drug events, shorten hospital stays, and improve formulary compliance,” said Dr. Abu-Gheida. “That’s real ROI – especially in value-based care models.”
Dr. Osama Hassan added: “If we want to move from fee-for service to outcomes-based reimbursement, we need solutions that link decisions to results. Wolters Kluwer’s UpToDate® and Medi-Span® do exactly that.”
Looking ahead: A shared vision for safer, smarter care
As the Think Tank concluded, one message resonated: precision medicine is a team sport. It requires collaboration across clinicians, technologists, regulators, and solution providers.
“We’re not just building tools – we’re building trust,” said Fulcher. “And that trust is what turns insight into impact.”
The original article is published on WoltersKluwer.com here: https://tinyurl.com/ysx99ynw
