Introduction: The Israeli health system was responsible for leading the fight against SARS-COV-2 as a medical emergency, making delivering real-time, professional information to the population crucial. The survival of the Israeli healthcare system during disasters is closely linked to the provision of medical services by the four HMOs. Professional and relevant spokespeople must ensure effective information delivery by adhering to the highest standards. This study assesses how professional information is communicated to the Israeli public. Methods: During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022), thirteen influential individuals from the Israeli healthcare system, actively involved in leading the country’s response, were extensively interviewed using a semi-structured approach. The interviews underwent evaluation by a peer review panel. Access to participants was obtained, and the interviews were conducted in person or via Zoom. The participants were provided with the questionnaire format in advance. The data analysis was done with ATLS.TI 22, resulting in the identification of six themes. One of these themes emphasized the importance of delivering professional information to establish public trustworthiness during emergencies. The themes were derived by identifying recurring concepts and categories within the participants’ quotes. Results: Many instances were uncovered, illustrating the paramount significance of professional information delivery in shaping the trustworthiness of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic. All 13 interviewees unequivocally recognized the impact of professional information dissemination. They supported their viewpoints with concrete illustrations, emphasizing the role of physicians as spokespersons, the need for media interaction through question-and-answer sessions during conferences, and the importance of unified messaging across all media platforms and among all professionals involved. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the approach adopted by the Israeli healthcare system in managing the pandemic, encompassing an examination of the ramifications of professional information delivery. The abundance of lessons and examples presented may also hold relevance for other countries, offering potential for broader application.
Arama et al. (Sun,) studied this question.