In healthcare, outcomes are not only shaped by clinical competence or access to modern facilities, but by something more intangible yet essential—care culture. Defined as the shared values, behaviours, and attitudes that prioritise compassion, respect, and patient-centredness, care culture is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of high-performing health systems around the world. In Oman, as the nation continues to invest in healthcare infrastructure and workforce development, nurturing a strong culture of care is vital to achieving truly holistic health outcomes.

Defining Care Culture

Care culture encompasses how healthcare professionals interact with patients, their families, and each other. It influences how organisations design processes, resolve ethical dilemmas, manage communication, and define accountability. A strong care culture ensures that patients feel heard, respected, and safe—not just treated. It builds trust between caregivers and the community, increases staff satisfaction, and reduces the risk of burnout.

In Oman, where the healthcare sector has seen rapid development over the past two decades, embedding care culture into the national healthcare narrative offers an opportunity to humanise medicine and align services more closely with the needs and expectations of a diverse and growing population.

Why It Matters in Oman

Oman’s Vision 2040 lays out a clear ambition for a world-class healthcare system that balances efficiency, accessibility, and innovation. But within this transformation, a softer metric—empathy and dignity in care—can’t be overlooked.

Oman’s healthcare system comprises a mix of public and private providers, with the Ministry of Health as the main service provider. The influx of international healthcare workers, varying cultural backgrounds, and language barriers all pose challenges—but also present an opportunity to craft a care culture that is inclusive and uniquely Omani.

With the increasing burden of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, long-term patient engagement becomes critical. A strong care culture ensures that patients are not passive recipients but active partners in managing their health—an approach particularly important in non-communicable disease management.

Cultural Competence and Local Sensitivity

In Oman, care culture must be grounded in the nation’s values—hospitality, respect for elders, family involvement, and modesty. Healthcare professionals must be trained to deliver care in ways that honour these values while maintaining global best practices.

For example, culturally sensitive communication is essential. Many patients may prefer a family member to be involved in decision-making. Gender considerations also play a significant role in how care is delivered and received. Providers must be aware of and respect these preferences while ensuring informed, ethical, and effective treatment.

Training in cultural competence for both Omani and expatriate health workers can greatly enhance this. Institutions such as the Oman College of Health Sciences and the Royal Hospital have already begun integrating empathy and communication into medical curricula and continuing professional development.

Workplace Culture and Staff Wellbeing

Care culture is not only about patient experience—it begins with how healthcare professionals are treated. High workload, emotional fatigue, and systemic pressures can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout. For care culture to thrive, staff wellbeing must be prioritised.

Omani healthcare institutions are beginning to respond to this need. Some hospitals are introducing employee wellness programmes, peer support groups, and mental health services for staff. Leadership styles that are collaborative, appreciative, and empowering also contribute to a more caring environment.

In this regard, creating a psychologically safe environment—where staff can speak up, admit mistakes, or raise concerns without fear—is essential. Encouraging open dialogue among multidisciplinary teams also fosters mutual respect and shared ownership of patient care.

Digital Transformation with a Human Touch

Oman’s healthcare digitalisation journey—from electronic health records to telemedicine—has brought enormous benefits. However, as automation increases, the human connection must not be lost.

Telehealth platforms and AI diagnostic tools can enhance efficiency, but must be designed to complement, not replace, compassionate care. Training providers on how to express empathy virtually, maintain eye contact over video consultations, and deliver difficult news with sensitivity remains important.

The Way Forward

Care culture doesn’t evolve overnight. It must be intentionally nurtured—through leadership, policy, education, and community engagement. To institutionalise care culture in Oman’s healthcare system, several strategies can be adopted:

1. Leadership Commitment: Healthcare leaders must model caring behaviours, prioritise patient experience metrics, and reward staff who go beyond clinical care.

2. Integrated Training: Incorporate communication, empathy, ethics, and cultural awareness into medical education and continuous learning.

3. Feedback Mechanisms: Regularly gather patient and staff feedback to understand what matters most to them and act upon it.

4. Policy Support: National health strategies can explicitly include care culture as a pillar of quality, not just efficiency.

5. Community Involvement: Patients and families should be involved in co-designing care pathways, policies, and feedback loops.
   
   In the journey towards a healthier Oman, the technology, infrastructure, and systems being developed today will lay the foundation. But it is the unseen culture of care—how we treat each other—that will define the true success of the nation’s healthcare vision. Investing in compassion is not a soft ideal; it’s a strategic necessity. And in Oman, where community values and modern ambition intersect, there is a unique opportunity to lead with both heart and innovation.
   
   Sources:
   https://www.oman2040.om
   https://www.emro.who.int
   https://www.moh.gov.om
   https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com
   https://journals.squ.edu.om
   https://www.omsb.org