[History of Israel Neonatology and Its Pioneer Physicians in Israel]

To explore the circumstances that contributed to the development of neonatology and neonatal units in Israel, and to recognize the key figures who played an essential role in these advancements.

This qualitative study involves in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a purposively selected group of participants, including pediatrics, NICU managers, managers in the Israel Neonatal Society, and policymakers from Israel's Health Department. Interviews were conducted in a free narrative setting to encourage open sharing of personal experiences and opinions, with all sessions audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for accuracy. Thematic analysis was applied to the transcripts to identify recurring patterns and themes, providing an in-depth understanding of participant views. Additionally, text analysis of policy documents and guidelines from Israel's Ministry of Health and other relevant organizations was conducted using content analysis to complement and broaden the insights obtained from interviews. The study adheres to strict ethical standards, including obtaining informed consent and maintaining participant confidentiality.

This study was conducted as part of the requirements for MD degree from the Goldman Medical School at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.