The Ministry of Health publishes the results of the interns’ survey in hospitals, as well as the results of preferences and placements from the lottery for Israeli graduate interns.

The highest satisfaction was recorded in internal medicine departments.
Satisfaction varies between hospitals, and there is no advantage in intern satisfaction specifically with the top centers in Israel.
Preferred specialization tracks: Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine.

The survey, conducted throughout 2024, included over 2,000 interns. The survey also shows that the leading factor for choosing a specialization is professional interest and challenge.

The survey provides a broad picture of the incoming generation of doctors joining the healthcare system at the end of 2024. A total of 2,029 participants took part, representing 40% of all Israeli graduate interns and 20% of foreign graduates from that year. The survey included satisfaction questions on a 1-5 scale, as well as informational questions regarding demographics and general attitudes.

 
This week, the Ministry of Health is publishing an intern feedback survey, which addresses interns’ satisfaction with core departments – Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Emergency Medicine – as well as interns’ conditions, training, professional guidance, and their sense of ability to fulfill the internship training process. The survey was sent to all interns from all hospitals. 

The Ministry of Health places great importance on receiving feedback from interns to refine the training process during the internship period, as this period is crucial for the transition from student to doctor and for obtaining a license in the State of Israel. As part of the internship reform that began in recent months, which includes its shortening, training processes and skill acquisition during the internship have been improved and enhanced, with an emphasis on clinical and professional skills. 
 
Currently, the Ministry of Health is working to establish teaching authorities in hospitals across the country, and to implement an enrichment and training program for heads of teaching units. The goal is to enrich learning in core areas of medical education and acquire skills for implementing medical education principles, in order to provide quality training for the future generation of the Israeli healthcare system and to increase the satisfaction of teaching and learning staff with the training processes. Furthermore, this initiative will create a foundation for knowledge sharing, peer learning, and joint coping with professional challenges and dilemmas.
 
The Ministry will continue to improve intern feedback processes, with the aim of addressing various needs in both the medium and long term, while considering the expected changes in the number of doctors in Israel in the coming years. 
 
69% of respondents in the survey reported feeling confident and capable of applying the knowledge they acquired in the department during their internship, and 61% stated that the department invests time in a structured onboarding process for interns and provides general orientation to each new intern. 
 
Satisfaction rates among interns, who gave high scores (4,5) in the breakdown by departments, as shown by the survey, are 71% in internal medicine departments, 67% in emergency medicine departments (ER), 65% in pediatrics departments, and 47% in surgical departments. This figure is significant in light of the internship reform and its shortening, while maintaining the duration of the internal medicine rotation, as the internal medicine department is a significant and important milestone in the training process and the required transition from student to doctor. 
 
Comparing the satisfaction of graduates from medical studies abroad with graduates from studies in Israel, it is evident that while satisfaction rates are similar in internal medicine departments, surgical departments and emergency medicine departments showed higher satisfaction among foreign graduates. Conversely, in pediatrics departments, the satisfaction rate among graduates from studies in Israel is higher. 
 
Regarding the question about the preferred specialization track for interns, among those who chose to respond, three main specializations stood out: Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine. Additional specializations preferred by responding interns included Obstetrics and Gynecology, Orthopedic Surgery, and Anesthesiology. This data aligns with a growing trend of expanding clinical and therapeutic activity in the community, and the importance of primary care in the healthcare system. It may also be part of the global trend to create a work-life-family balance, as these trends influence future medical workforce. 
 
The survey also included a question regarding the ranking of key factors for choosing a specialization. Among the factors ranked first in their influence on specialization choice were: interest, professional challenge, and satisfaction with the internship rotation in the department. Future earning potential also has a significant impact on specialization choice, albeit to a lesser extent than interest and challenge. 
 
The central region of the country leads in intern preferences for specialization location, followed by the Haifa region. The Jerusalem region, the Galilee region, and the Southern region are lower in priority. 
 
In response to the question “Where do you see yourself professionally in 15 years?”, the following answers were prominent: in the community, in a hospital, in a combination of private practice, and in a management role. Relatively low percentages of respondents indicated they see themselves working abroad or primarily in research. 
 
The results suggest that the new generation of doctors also desires quality training and seeks interest and challenge in their chosen profession. The survey results also indicate that there is no advantage in satisfaction with Israel’s top centers; rather, smaller and medium-sized hospitals are equally prominent in this regard. 
 
Data on preferences and placements from the lottery for Israeli graduate interns held yesterday:
The lottery was held for 865 interns who graduated from medical schools in Israeli universities, where

• 66.71% received their first-choice hospital,
• 84.16% received one of their top three preferred locations.

Dr. Hagar Mizrahi, Head of the Medical Division at the Ministry of Health: “The intern survey reflects a young generation of doctors seeking quality training, professional meaning, and a real ability to develop within the public healthcare system. The data reinforces the importance of continued investment in training, professional guidance, and improving training conditions in all hospitals across the country, with an emphasis on strengthening clinical departments and expanding training in the periphery as well. The Ministry of Health will continue to work to ensure an optimal internship process that will build Israel’s next generation of doctors.”

Dr. Orly Greenfield, Head of the Licensing Department for Medical Professions at the Ministry of Health: “The internship period is a significant stage in the training process for future doctors in Israel, for instilling professional values, and for acquiring and improving relevant skills. Therefore, learning processes and investment in teaching staff, training programs, and evaluation and feedback processes provided to interns are of great importance. We at the Ministry of Health also monitor trends in satisfaction and preferences for specialization selection for the continued planning of a professional and high-quality medical workforce for the healthcare system.”

• For detailed lottery results
   

Health Ministry

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