Family medicine and primary care in Israel

Join Bruce Rosen as he sits down with Professor Shlomo Vinker, a leading expert in family medicine, for an engaging discussion on primary care in Israel.

As a board-certified family physician, the chief medical officer at Leumit Health Services, and chair of the European Association of Family Doctors (WONCA), Professor Vinker shares his unique insights on the structure of primary care, the rise of family medicine, and the challenges faced by practitioners today.

In this conversation, Bruce and Shlomo explore:

• The role of family doctors in Israel’s healthcare system

• Why family medicine is growing in popularity among medical residents

• How the national health law ensures universal coverage

• The impact of competition between healthcare organizations

• Changes in medical training and work-life balance for new doctors

• How the war has affected primary care services, including:

   o Providing medical care for displaced communities in temporary shelters

   o Addressing increased psychological and psychiatric stress among patients

   o Expanding telemedicine and remote consultations due to evolving needs

 

Looking ahead, Professor Vinker discusses key challenges in family medicine, including:

• Managing high workload and growing patient needs • Balancing face-to-face and remote care

• Addressing geographic disparities in physician distribution

Learn how Israeli primary care stands out from other countries and how family doctors are adapting to modern healthcare demands.