Researchers: Gali Dar¹

Background: Public healthcare services in Israel face a workforce shortage in the health professions, possibly due to young professionals avoiding entry into the public sector.

Objectives: To examine factors influencing workplace choice among physiotherapy students and physiotherapists, as well as their reasons for choosing the profession.

Method: An anonymous online survey was conducted among physiotherapists and students across Israel collecting demographic data, and factors influencing career and workplace choices.

Findings: A total of 708 respondents participated (513 physiotherapists, 195 students). Students emphasized professional growth opportunities, mentorship, continuing education, career advancement, and financial incentives, whereas physiotherapists prioritized part-time employment (p<0.05). Both groups valued meaning and autonomy. Helping others was a central motivation for choosing the profession (50%), with students placing greater emphasis on health promotion (30% vs.19%) and having a stronger background in sports. Most physiotherapists work part-time (67%), many hold multiple jobs, and a substantial proportion have transitioned to the private sector (40%). Only 13% work in public hospitals compared to 21% who are self-employed. Clinical affiliations had a positive impact on students, and a high proportion (44%) are considering working abroad for salary and professional status reasons.
Conclusions: A generational gap exists between students’ expectations and employment conditions, reflecting a gradual shift in professional priorities over the course of the professional career from growth-oriented expectations to a focus on work-life balance. Students seek professional development and rewards, while experienced physiotherapists emphasize quality of life and part-time work. These findings highlight challenges in both recruiting and retaining physiotherapists within the public healthcare system, along with concerns about potential brain drain.

Conclusions: Strengthening mentorship programs, improving employment conditions, and expanding career development opportunities may support recruitment of young professionals, while increasing employment flexibility may enhance retention of physiotherapists within the public healthcare system.

Research end date: 04/2026