The Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute has since the implementation of the National Health Insurance Law 1995 conducted a biennial survey of the level and performance of health-care services from the perspective of service consumers. These follow-up surveys examine the achievement of the law’s main objectives – improving health services and enhancing equity among population groups. The study is monitored by a joint steering committee representing the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the health plans, the National Insurance Institute and consumer organizations.
The 2007 survey and findings presented in this report are the seventh in the series. A detailed summary of the national findings was widely distributed in early 2008, and this report presents an in-depth analysis of the findings, comparing health plans as well as different population groups. The main topics discussed are:
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Trends over time in satisfaction with health plan services, availability, waiting time, preventive services, health condition and mental distress, and the burden of payments for health
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Accessibility of services: forgoing medical care and prescription drugs due to cost, forgoing dental care due to cost, forgoing services due to distance and administrative restrictions by the health plans
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Private insurance: supplementary, commercial and long-term care
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Time devoted by doctors to patients, their coordination of treatment and their explanation to patients
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Managing the medication regime
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Evaluating the overall performance of the health system
The importance of the study lies in providing ongoing information to assist health plans managers and policymakers in following up on the performance measures for health services. The study sheds light on positive trends to be reinforced and on areas that require improvement, contributing to the public discussion and the planning of appropriate responses. The findings have been presented to policymakers at the health plans, the Ministry of Health, the Health Council, the National Council for Primary Medicine and the Knesset.
The survey was funded with the assistance of the Government of Israel, Clalit Health Services, Maccabi Healthcare Services, Leumit Health Fund and Meuhedet Health Plan.
Citations in the professional and academic literature
Miron-Shatz, T., Golan, O., Brezis, M., Siegal, G., & Doniger, G. M. (2011). The status of shared decision making and citizen participation in Israeli medicine. Zeitschrift für Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualität im Gesundheitswesen, 105(4), 271-276.
Hornik-Lurie, T., Cwikel, J., Feinson, M. C., Lerner, Y., & Zilber, N. (2013). Use of unconventional therapies by primary care patients–religious resources vs. complementary or alternative medicine services. Complementary therapies in medicine, 21(5), 517-524.
Baum, N., Shalit, H., Kum, Y., & Tal, M. (2016). Social workers’ role in tempering inequality in healthcare in hospitals and clinics: a study in Israel. Health & social care in the community, 24(5), 605-613.
Chernichovsky, D., & Regev, E. TAUB CENTER.
Epstein, L. (2012). Health Inequity in Israel: Past, Present, and Future. Accountability And Responsibility In Health Care: Issues In Addressing An Emerging Global Challenge, 1, 309.1