Israel Faces Growing Wait Times for Family Doctors Amid Staffing Shortages and Rising Demand

In recent years, many Israelis have struggled to secure appointments with family doctors within a day or two, with wait times sometimes extending up to two weeks, particularly in major health funds like Clalit and Maccabi. A sample survey revealed that in Maccabi clinics in Modi'in, the wait for a family doctor appointment can reach five days or even two and a half weeks, while availability is somewhat better in Haifa and Be'er Sheva. Clalit patients in Mevaseret Zion reported waits of about a week. Social media users have expressed frustration, calling the situation "shameful" and likening it to third-world conditions.

The prolonged waits stem from multiple factors: a shortage of family doctors, expanded responsibilities for these physicians, an aging population, and increased healthcare service consumption. Patients often face delays even in urgent cases, and doctors report burnout due to overwhelming workloads. The Association of Patients' Rights CEO, Iya Wertheimer, emphasized that family doctors are the gateway to the healthcare system, and delays harm early diagnosis and treatment access.

Data from the Ministry of Health shows that while 223 new family medicine residents started training in 2024, a significant rise from 93 in 2010, this number falls short of the estimated 350 to 500 needed annually to maintain service quality amid retirements and population growth. Of the 2,787 family medicine specialists in 2023, about 16% were over 67 years old, and 28% were between 55 and 66, indicating many are nearing retirement. Additionally, less than half of the roughly 5,600 family doctors in health funds hold specialized family medicine certification, especially in peripheral areas.

Dr. Yael Livni Gilerman, chair of the Family Medicine Association, noted that the shortage is compounded by the increasing complexity of patients’ conditions and the lack of timely access to specialists in fields like psychiatry and neurology, pushing more responsibility onto family doctors. She also highlighted that digital communication has increased administrative burdens, as many patients send digital requests that still require thorough review by doctors.

Health funds Clalit and Maccabi acknowledged the challenges but stressed ongoing efforts to improve access through digital services, urgent care centers, and recruitment. The Ministry of Health reported investing millions in training family medicine residents and forming a professional committee to recommend long-term solutions to meet the growing demand and aging population needs. The committee’s recommendations are expected soon, aiming to expand family medicine services nationwide.