Israeli Asaf, Blumenthal Eytan Z, Nemet Achia, Zayit-Soudry Shiri, Pizem Hadas, Mezer Eedy
Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, POB 9907, Haifa, Israel.
Department of Ophthalmology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel.
Isr J Health Policy Res. 2025 Jan 10;14(1):2. doi: 10.1186/s13584-024-00664-2.
Workforce diversity in healthcare has been shown to improve the quality of patient care. A paucity of data exists globally on this subject in ophthalmology. The purpose of this study was to analyze nationwide trends in gender-, ethnic- and country of graduation disparities among ophthalmologists in Israel.
Cross-sectional, workforce-based study using data retrieved from the Israeli Ministry of Health. Data included gender, ethnicity, and medical graduation country. Proportions and trends among new residents and board-certified ophthalmologists (BCO) were assessed.
During 2006-2021, 18,624 medical licenses were issued (41.7% Israeli Medical Graduates (IsrMGs), 42.2% female), average yearly increase (AYI) was 6.9%, females and IsrMGs had an average yearly decrease of 1% and 0.53%, respectively. 561 physicians began ophthalmology residency (57.5% male, 75% Jewish, 69.9% IsrMGs), reflecting a 6.2% total AYI, but 8.1% and 4.8% for female versus male residents, respectively. There were fewer female residents despite population and graduate pool adjustments (p = 0.002 and p = 0.002, respectively), but differences disappeared after 2015 (p = 0.52). Arab and Jewish residents AYIs were 6.4% and 5.7% respectively, with ethnic differences elucidated by adjusting for population sizes (p = 0.097). BCO densities in 2006 and 2021 were 7.5 and 9.06, respectively, with a 1.3% AYI (p < 0.001). Proportions of female and Arab BCO were lower than expected based on population proportions. (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Gender-differences remained after adjusting for population sizes (p < 0.001), but AYIs for female and male BCO were 1.38% and 1.15%, respectively. AYIs for Arab and Jewish BCO were 12% and 0.61%, respectively.
Jewish and male dominance was seen among Israeli BCOs and was unrelated to population size or graduate distribution. Among new ophthalmology residents, Arab representation was adequate to their population proportion. In early years, male predominance was noted, however this disparity was no longer evident after 2015. These trends are encouraging, and efforts should be made to ensure the field remains inclusive and representative of the broader population.
医疗保健领域的劳动力多元化已被证明可提高患者护理质量。全球范围内，眼科领域关于这一主题的数据匮乏。本研究的目的是分析以色列眼科医生在性别、种族和毕业国家方面的全国性差异趋势。
基于劳动力的横断面研究，使用从以色列卫生部检索的数据。数据包括性别、种族和医学毕业国家。评估新住院医师和获得董事会认证的眼科医生（BCO）的比例及趋势。
2006 - 2021年期间，共发放了18,624份医疗执照（41.7%为以色列医学毕业生（IsrMGs），42.2%为女性），年平均增长率（AYI）为6.9%，女性和IsrMGs的年平均降幅分别为1%和0.53%。561名医生开始眼科住院医师培训（57.5%为男性，75%为犹太裔，69.9%为IsrMGs），总AYI为6.2%，但女性和男性住院医师的AYI分别为8.1%和4.8%。尽管进行了人口和毕业生群体调整，但女性住院医师人数仍较少（分别为p = 0.002和p = 0.002），但2015年后差异消失（p = 0.52）。阿拉伯和犹太住院医师的AYI分别为6.4%和5.7%，通过调整人口规模可阐明种族差异（p = 0.097）。2006年和2021年BCO的密度分别为7.5和9.06，AYI为1.3%（p < 0.001）。女性和阿拉伯BCO的比例低于基于人口比例的预期。（分别为p < 0.001和p < 0.001）。调整人口规模后，性别差异仍然存在（p < 0.001），但女性和男性BCO的AYI分别为1.38%和1.15%。阿拉伯和犹太BCO的AYI分别为12%和0.61%。
在以色列的BCO中，犹太人和男性占主导地位，这与人口规模或毕业生分布无关。在新的眼科住院医师中，阿拉伯人的代表性与其人口比例相当。早年，男性占主导地位，但2015年后这种差异不再明显。这些趋势令人鼓舞，应努力确保该领域保持包容性并代表更广泛的人群。
