Supporting International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
Supporting international medical graduates (IMGs) is crucial for ensuring a diverse and competent healthcare workforce. IMGs face unique challenges when seeking to practice medicine in a foreign country, and it is important for healthcare systems to provide support and resources to help them succeed. In this blog, we will discuss some of the ways in which healthcare organisations and communities can support IMGs.
5 ways to Support International Medical Graduates
1. The first way to support IMGs is by providing mentorship and networking opportunities. IMGs may feel isolated and unfamiliar with the healthcare system in their new country, and having a mentor who can provide guidance and support can be incredibly helpful. Healthcare organisations can also facilitate networking opportunities for IMGs to connect with other professionals in their field. This can help them build relationships and gain insights into the healthcare system.
2. Another important way to support IMGs is by providing cultural competency training for healthcare providers. Healthcare providers must be able to work effectively with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds, and providing training on cultural norms and customs can help them provide better care. This is especially important for IMGs who may have different cultural backgrounds than their patients.
3. Healthcare organisations can also provide resources to help IMGs navigate the licensing and certification process. This can include information on the requirements for licensure, study materials, and exam preparation courses. Organisations can also provide financial support for exam fees and other costs associated with the licensure process.
4. It is also important to address the language barriers that IMGs may face. Healthcare organisations can provide language training for healthcare providers, or hire interpreters to ensure that patients can communicate effectively with their doctors. Additionally, providing translation services for important documents like medical records and consent forms can help ensure that patients receive appropriate care.
5. Finally, it is important to address the systemic barriers that IMGs may face. Healthcare organisations can advocate for policies that support IMGs, such as visa programs that allow them to work in the healthcare field. They can also work to address biases and discrimination that IMGs may face in the workplace.
How can you, as a Supervisor, support an IMG?
- Provide an assessment of their prior capabilities, an introduction to differential attainment explains the gap in attainment levels between different groups of doctors, contributing factors and mitigating measures.
- Provide an assessment of communication skills and patient expectations, such as communication options, treatment options, consent and decision-making. In a study lead by the Medical Advisor, Workforce Race Equality Strategy Implementation Team, NHS in 2019, the most common challenge reported by IMGs was communications, so it’s important that IMGs are supported. [1]
- Give an introduction to the NHS, its purpose, complex structure and organisation and how care is delivered and funded.
- How to work in teams, how NHS teams are formed, individual roles and common issues that may arise in multi-professional team working.
In conclusion, supporting IMGs is crucial for ensuring a diverse and competent healthcare workforce. Healthcare organisations can provide mentorship and networking opportunities, cultural competency training, resources to navigate the licensing process, language training and interpretation services, and advocacy for policies that support IMGs. By supporting IMGs, we can help ensure that all patients receive the highest quality of care.
If you want to understand more about how to support your International Medical Graduates, check out our 1-day course.
[1] Welcoming and Valuing International Medical Graduates –A Guide to Induction for IMGs Recruited to the NHS- View the full report
