The health system in Israel is facing significant challenges in the modern era. On the one hand, public medicine is facing increasing overload, long waiting times, and limited resources. On the other hand, private medicine offers quick and accessible solutions, but at a higher cost.
Challenges of Public Medicine
The public health system in Israel is considered one of the best in the world, with a wide basket of services provided to every citizen. However, the challenges are many: long lines for tests and consultations with specialists, overcrowding in hospitals, and limited time that the doctor can devote to each patient. In many cases, patients have to wait for months for essential diagnostic tests such as MRI or for a consultation with a specialist.
Advantages of Private Medicine
Private medicine offers a solution to some of these challenges. In the private market, the patient can receive faster service, choose the attending physician, and receive more personal and comprehensive attention. Diagnostic tests in the public system may take months, and are available in the private system within a few days. The waiting time for experts is significantly shortened, and a second opinion can be obtained more easily.
Companies like My Doctor provide services Home Doctor and a wide range of medical tests and services at competitive prices, making private medicine accessible to wider segments of the population. The significant advantage here is the patient's comfort and the possibility of receiving quick treatment in cases that are not urgent enough to the emergency room, but require an immediate response.
Doctor to the Home – The Accessibility Revolution
Doctor to the Home services represent one of the most significant innovations in the field of private medicine in recent years. Instead of waiting in a long line in the clinic or emergency room, the patient receives a doctor's visit at his home, with an initial diagnosis, treatment, and even prescriptions for medications as needed. This service is especially beneficial for disadvantaged populations such as the elderly, families with small children, and people with disabilities.
The Economic Challenge
Despite the obvious advantages of private medicine, the main challenge is the cost. While public health services are subsidized through the National Health Insurance, private services require direct payment or through private health insurance. This fact creates a gap in access to quality medical services between different socioeconomic strata.
Towards an integrated model
The current trend in Israel and around the world is towards an integrated model that combines the advantages of the two systems. Ambulatory service letters and supplemental health insurance allow patients to enjoy the benefits of private medicine at more affordable prices. At the same time, public medicine is improving and adopting some of the technological and service innovations of the private sector.