Israel Lags OECD Averages in Key Healthcare Metrics

Key Takeaways:

• Israel’s healthcare workforce lags behind OECD averages in doctors, nurses, and pharmacists per capita.
• The number of doctors, nurses, and medical licenses issued has increased, but challenges remain in medical education capacity.
• Mental health services receive significant budget increases and new incentives for psychologists.
• Dentistry exceeds OECD averages, while physical therapy sees a decline in new licenses.
• Health officials emphasize strengthening training programs and improving employment conditions.

Israel’s Healthcare Workforce: Progress and Persistent Challenges

Israel’s healthcare system is making strides in addressing workforce shortages, yet it continues to lag behind many OECD countries in key areas, according to a report published by the Health Ministry on Thursday. The 2023 health professions workforce report highlights both progress and ongoing gaps in the availability of medical professionals, offering a detailed snapshot of the state of healthcare in the country.

Doctors and Medical Education: Growth Amidst Shortfalls

The report reveals that Israel has seen an increase in the number of doctors employed, reaching 3.5 per 1,000 residents in 2022, up from 3.2 in 2018. However, this remains below the OECD average of 3.7 per 1,000 residents. Similarly, the number of medical students graduating annually in Israel stands at 7.24 per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the OECD average of 14.3.

To address these gaps, the Health Ministry has outlined a strategic plan to boost the number of medical students. By the end of the decade, the ministry aims to enroll 2,000 new medical students annually. Additionally, 2,495 new medical licenses were issued in 2023, marking a substantial rise compared to previous years. Approximately one-third of these licenses were granted to graduates of Israeli medical schools, while half were awarded to those who studied abroad.

A notable reform passed in 2019 will further impact the medical licensing landscape. Starting next year, graduates from medical schools abroad that do not meet Israel’s standards will no longer be eligible for a medical license. This measure seeks to ensure higher-quality training for future doctors.

By the end of 2023, there were 46,981 registered doctors in Israel, with 35,144 under the age of 67. The proportion of doctors aged 55 and above decreased from 50% in 2017 to 45% in 2023, reflecting a gradual rejuvenation of the workforce. Specialty training also saw growth, with 2,035 doctors beginning advanced training in 2023—double the number from 2010.

Nursing and Allied Health Professions: Growth but Gaps Remain

In the nursing sector, Israel has made progress but still falls short of OECD standards. Between 2020 and 2023, the average number of nurses stood at 5.6 per 1,000 residents, below the OECD average of 9.9. However, the nursing workforce grew to 6.8 per 1,000 residents by the end of 2023, up from 6.6 in 2022.

The Health Ministry’s nursing division has introduced a five-year plan to further expand the profession. Key goals include increasing the nurse-to-resident ratio to 7 per 1,000, expanding advanced courses, and fostering clinical expertise.

Other allied health professions show mixed results. Physical therapy, for instance, saw a reduction in new licenses issued, with 7,396 physical therapists practicing in Israel by the end of 2023, equating to 0.75 per 1,000 residents. In contrast, occupational therapy experienced growth, with 628 new licenses issued in 2023, bringing the total to 7,864 practitioners—a more than two-fold increase since 2010. Speech therapy also saw an uptick, with 433 new licenses issued in 2023 compared to 372 in 2022.

Dentistry and Pharmacy: A Mixed Picture

Israel performs well in dentistry, exceeding OECD averages. According to data from 2021-2023, there were 0.84 dentists per 1,000 residents, surpassing the OECD average of 0.71. In 2023, 575 new dental licenses were issued, with 19% granted to graduates of Israeli dental schools and 47% to Israelis educated abroad.

Pharmacy, however, lags behind. The rate of employed pharmacists was recorded at 0.8 per 1,000 residents, below the OECD average of 0.91. Additionally, Israel’s pharmacy school graduation rate stands at 1.4 per 100,000 residents, far below the OECD average of 4.4.

Strengthening Mental Health Services

Mental health services are receiving increased attention and investment. The number of new psychologist licenses issued rose to 710 in 2023, up from 624 in 2022, with most trained domestically. On average, Israel employs 1.5 psychologists per 1,000 residents, as per Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) data from 2021-2023.

Budget allocations for mental health have also risen, totaling approximately 1.4 billion shekels over two years. This funding supports initiatives such as doubling the number of mental health treatments and creating new roles in hospitals. Furthermore, the Health Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Histadrut labor federation launched a grants program to incentivize psychologists working in the public health system.

Official Statements on Future Directions

Health Minister Uriel Busso emphasized the ministry’s commitment to bolstering the healthcare workforce. “Opening additional medical faculties and investing resources in advanced training and specialty programs, alongside improving employment conditions in the public system,” are among the ministry’s priorities, he stated.

Busso added, “The Health Ministry is committed to continuing and investing in human capital, with a deep understanding – only by nurturing and strengthening medical teams can we ensure a strong, innovative, and flexible health system that will continue to provide high-quality, accessible, and available service to all residents of Israel, both in routine and emergency situations.”

Moshe Bar Siman Tov, Director-General of the Health Ministry, highlighted efforts to increase the number of specialist doctors across fields and regions. He noted that the ministry is “supporting the funding of community and health fund specialty programs” as part of its broader strategy.

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This comprehensive analysis underscores both the achievements and challenges facing Israel’s healthcare system. While progress is evident, continued investment and policy innovation will be essential to bridge the gaps with OECD standards and ensure equitable access to quality care for all residents. All information cited in this article is attributed to a report published on https://www.jpost.com/.