The role of primary care physicians in the Israel Defense Forces: a self-perception study.
BACKGROUND
The health system of the medical corps of the Israel Defense Force is based primarily upon primary healthcare. In recent years, health management organizations have considered the primary care physician responsible for assessing the overall health needs of the patient and, accordingly, introduced the term "gatekeeper."


OBJECTIVE
To describe and analyze how PCPs in the IDF view their roles as primary care providers and to characterize how they perceive the quality of the medical care that they provide.


METHODS
We conducted a survey using a questionnaire that was mailed or faxed to a representative sample of PCPs. The questionnaire included demographic background, professional background, statements on self-perception issues, and ranking of roles as a PCP in the IDF.


RESULTS
Statements concerning commitment to the patient were ranked higher than statements concerning commitment to the military organization. Most physicians perceive the quality of the medical care service that they provide as high; they also stated that they do not receive adequate continuous medical education.


CONCLUSIONS
Our survey shows that PCPs in the IDF, like civilian family physicians, perceive their primary obligation as serving the needs of their patients but are yet to take on the full role of "gatekeepers" in the IDF's healthcare system. We conclude that the Medical Corps should implement appropriate steps to ensure that PCPs are prepared to take on a more prominent role as "gatekeepers" and providers of high quality primary medical care.
Zimlichman
Eyal
E
Medicine Branch, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Force. zimlich1@zahav.net.il
Mandel
Dror
D
Mimouni
Francis B
FB
Vinker
Shlomo
S
Kochba
Ilan
I
Kreiss
Yitshak
Y
Lahad
Amnon
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires