The shortage of doctors in Israel is well-known as a recent phenomena – self-created. Hours, salaries, working conditions – all coalesce to make this place unpopular for doctors. So our doctor in the health clinic usually saves time by asking me as I open the door, “so what can I do for you?” i ask him for tests, he types it up, says “its in the computer” and I barely have time to sit down. No point in taking my blood pressure or checking my heart, since he’s sent me to a specialist (who also has never touched me). That’s why we go to a private doctor (who used to be our doctor in the health clinic) and she diagnoses, suggests tests, diet changes, and even alterations in our medications. It works – but it shows that the system isn’t working.