The role of direct single monetary grants in residents’ choice of field of residency

Background: In an attempt to address severe medical manpower shortages in several medical disciplines, the Israeli Ministry of Health offered grants to residents who chose one of these fields. Methods: A total of 220 residents from various disciplines were surveyed on demographic, academic, and professional data, and asked to rank considerations in the choice of their field of residency. Results: Residents in targeted fields attributed significantly more importance to the grant in their decision-making process (U = 3704.5, p < 0.001). This effect remained significant in a multivariate model (OR 1.67, 95%CI 1.32–2.10, p < 0.001). Higher age (OR 1.15, 95%CI 1.01–1.31, p = 0.031) and attribution of significance to the working conditions compared to other residency fields (OR 1.69, 95%CI 1.23–2.32, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with receptivity toward the grant in a multivariate analysis. Discussion: Receptivity toward the offered grants correlated with real-life data shows a rise in physician in these fields, and the weak association between such receptivity and most variables tested may suggest that the grants were perceived as a property of the specific choice rather than a special bonus. Conclusions: Grants may be useful in diverting medical manpower. Further analysis and modeling are required to determine causal relationship and budgetary feasibility.