How Israeli primary care physicians perceive their role in the health care system.
In some Western European countries, primary care physicians (PCPs) play a major role in the health care system, but in Israel the health care system is in the process of being reformed and the role of PCPs has not yet been established. The purpose of the study described in this article was to determine the attitude of PCPs toward the role that they should play in the health care system in Israel and the formal training they need to fill this role. PCPs cited 12 primary functions that they should carry out, including coordinating patient care and counseling patients. Also, 60% of PCPs have undergone specialty training, and 94% think that this training is essential. Among the conclusions of the study are that a higher percentage of PCPs should undergo specialty training in order to enhance their professional status and that continued medical education should emphasize specific issues, such as the consideration of economic factors in patient management decisions, responsibility for patients' administrative issues, 24-hour responsibility for patients, and house calls.
Tabenkin
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Faculty of the Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Gross
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Bramli-Greenberg
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D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012938:Social Perception