Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39501354›Full record

ArticleIsrael journal of health policy research2024

Motivations of Israeli physicians to return, or not, to Israel after their fellowship abroad.

Lior Seluk, Daniel Weltsch, Gadi Segal, Mayan Gilboa

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Israel journal of health policy research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. "Brain drain" amongst Israeli physicians who graduated abroad.Israel journal of health policy research · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Lior SelukDivision of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson St, Denver, CO, 80206, USA. liorseluk@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0127-6626
Daniel WeltschThe Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Gadi SegalThe Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Mayan GilboaThe Faculty of Medicine and Healthcare, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEmigration of healthcare professionals, particularly physicians, is an unresolved "pandemic", influenced by various factors. In high-income countries, the training phase (fellowship) abroad is critical for career development, yet it poses challenges for the retention of these professionals upon their completion of training. This study aimed to identify the determinants influencing Israeli physicians' decisions to return to their home country after completing fellowship training abroad.

methodsThis cross-sectional study conducted in early 2024, surveyed Israeli physicians with post-graduate training who pursued a fellowship abroad between 2013 and 2024. An anonymous survey included questions on demographics, training experience, and professional challenges. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics and regression analysis to explore factors associated with the decision to return.

resultsOf the 323 individuals surveyed, 297 met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 141 (47.5%) have returned to Israel, while 156 (52.5%) currently reside abroad, 48 (31%) of them have completed their fellowship. Respondents identified several challenges, beginning with a complex application process prior to fellowship (47% stated this as a major challenge), substantial financial burdens averaging 35,546 USD in direct out-of-pocket expenses during, and job uncertainty, with only 55% having secured positions upon return. Of the 156 Israeli fellows still abroad, 107 (69%) reported medium to low confidence in returning. Factors associated with a higher likelihood of confidence in returning to Israel included a secured job position upon return (OR 8.6, 95% CI 3.1-28.9) and having an opportunity for a position that would utilize the skills gained during the fellowship (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3-10.2).

conclusionThe decision to return to Israel after a fellowship abroad is influenced by a mix of professional, personal, and geopolitical factors. To counteract the critical issue of brain drain, it is essential to enhance occupational certainty for returning physicians. These findings highlight the urgent need for healthcare policies that provide robust support for returning professionals and address their specific challenges.

Indexed as

Fellowships and ScholarshipsMotivationPhysiciansAdultCross-Sectional StudiesEmigration and ImmigrationFemaleHumansIsraelMaleMiddle AgedSurveys and QuestionnairesBrain drainEmigration patternsHealthcare personnel shortageMedical fellowsProfessional mobilityWorkforce migration

Identifiers

PMID39501354
PMCPMC11539758

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.