Israeli Medical Interns Favor Internal Medicine, Avoid Geriatrics and Oncology Amid Growing Demand

A recent survey by the Israeli Ministry of Health reveals that nearly 40% of medical interns in Israel prefer specializing in internal medicine, pediatrics, or family medicine. Conversely, critical fields such as geriatrics and oncology, which are increasingly needed due to an aging population and rising cancer rates, remain among the least chosen specialties, with only 27 and 23 interns selecting them respectively. Other low-demand specialties include vascular surgery and neurosurgery, each attracting just seven interns, while nuclear medicine, clinical microbiology, and public health had one or two selections each.

The survey, conducted among 1,831 interns who completed their internships in 2025 before recent reforms, also highlights gender differences in specialty preferences. Pediatrics is the top choice among women, followed by family medicine and internal medicine, while men predominantly choose internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, anesthesia, and general surgery. Notably, obstetrics and gynecology is almost exclusively chosen by women, whereas orthopedic surgery is predominantly favored by men.

Geographically, central Israel remains the most popular region for specialization training, with 739 interns selecting it as their first choice, followed by Haifa with 355. Peripheral areas such as the Galilee, southern Israel, and Jerusalem lag significantly behind. The survey also assessed satisfaction with internship departments, showing high approval rates for Ziv Hospital in Safed and Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, while some major centers like Hadassah and Beilinson hospitals scored lower in certain departments.

Satisfaction with training, mentorship, and working conditions has improved compared to previous years, though surgical departments still report the lowest satisfaction levels. Foreign medical graduates expressed higher satisfaction than Israeli graduates, particularly in emergency and surgical departments. The survey also revealed significant dissatisfaction with lodging conditions during shifts, especially in large medical centers like Sheba and Soroka hospitals.

Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, head of the Ministry of Health's Medical Division, emphasized the importance of the internship phase in shaping future physicians and noted ongoing efforts to improve training environments. Dr. Orly Greenfeld, head of the Medical Licensing Department, highlighted the survey's role in reflecting interns' aspirations and guiding improvements in professional development and training conditions, especially in peripheral regions. The recent internship reform aims to enhance training quality and better align with the needs of young doctors and the healthcare system.