Lewis, Michael C., and Gilbert J. Grant. “Marketing or Strategy? Defining the Best Approach to Expand the Anesthesiology Workforce in Israel.” Israel Journal of Health Policy Research (early view; online first).
URL: http://dx.doi.org/110.1186/s13584-015-0041-8
Abstract
There is a chronic shortage of anesthesiologists in Israel. The study by Cohen et al. suggests that a marketing campaign may be one method of addressing this shortage. This commentary argues for a more comprehensive strategy based on the US experience. This would not only involve marketing as suggested by Cohen et al. but would also involve a fundamental change in the Israel anesthesia care model, as well as providing substantial financial incentives to young physicians. We believe that a combination of these approaches will help to alleviate the shortage of anesthesia providers in Israel. Creating a new class of physician extenders, namely, anesthesiologist assistants, would also provide an employment pathway for the skilled medical technicians trained by the Israel Defense Forces, and other non-physicians with an interest in anesthesiology.
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