Why doctors want to leave the country – survey
A Ben-Gurion University survey found that 53.2% of medical residents and interns in Israel are considering emigration within the next five years, and 28.6% have already taken practical steps. The main reasons are excessive workloads, low pay, and the inability to balance work and personal life. The crisis is particularly acute in surgery and anesthesiology.
Israel's medical system is facing a large-scale staffing crisis. A study by Ben-Gurion University, conducted by Dr. Ofer Edelstein and Professor Yaakov Bachner, found that 53.2% of surveyed medical residents and interns are considering emigration within the next five years, and 28.6% have already taken practical steps. The survey, distributed by the Israel Medical Association, included 634 respondents with an average age of 33.7 years. The highest migration sentiments were recorded among surgeons and anesthesiologists. The main reasons are excessive physical workloads, low pay, and the inability to maintain a balance between career and personal life. Researchers note that targeted salary increases will not solve the problem—additional positions and fair compensation are needed. The political situation and security issues also influence doctors' decisions. Men reported plans to leave more often than women.