Graduate training of family practice residents in Israel

The educational goals and the actual implementation of the Israeli residency program in family medicine are examined. Except for the lack of required training in gynecology, the program syllabus is based on a sophisticated concept of comprehensive care. The teaching clinics provide residents with excellent patient material and with generally adequate medical facilities; however, important equipment is occasionally lacking, and the administration of the clinic discourages thorough teaching. The instructors are experienced practitioners and highly motivated teachers; They provide excellent role models, but are unable to give the residents adequate feedback or to stimulate deeper personal insight. The residents have heavy service responsibility, but in such areas as the interview technique, pediatrics and gynecology, they fail to acquire necessary skills. Suggestions are made regarding an educational reform of the program that would entail the use of university departments of family practice to support regional networks of teaching clinics.