An informed transition? International medical graduates settling in the united states and canada

Abstract

International medical graduates (IMGs) are medical professionals who have immigrated to the United States (US) or Canada (Ca) in hopes of integrating into the labor market. IMGs can be a very helpful resource supplying a diverse background and expertise to the medical system in the host country [Chen et al., 2010]. However, immigration and integration into a new country can be difficult processes due to differences in cultural norms, information sources, and information dissemination. In this study, we investigate the nature of information in the lived experiences of IMGs as they make a new life for themselves and their families in either the US or Canada. By so doing, we contribute to the limited body of research on this population by providing an informational perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 IMGs residing in the US or Canada. Our findings indicate that IMGs spend an inordinate amount of time searching for occupational and employment-related information, which includes information about retraining and residency programs, along with varied strategies to make sense of the new information landscapes. IMGs use various strategies to identify signposts and become conversant in the new landscape. Despite the limited sample, it becomes clear that one's ability to become literate in these new information environments leads to more positive outcomes (i.e., integrating the labor market, overall well-being, belonging).

The role of information in the migration experience of young Polish women in the UK

“…Shared bonds such as ethnicity, commonalities of interest or the sense of being a minority strengthen connections and promote information sharing (Fisher et al, 2007, Rayes et al, 2016.…”

“…While the refugee experience has been studied intensively in the LIS field, less research has been conducted into the information behaviour of other migrant groups, with some notable exceptions (Rayes et al, 2016, Allard, 2016, Caidi et al, 2010, Lingel, 2015, Komito, 2011, Audunson et al, 2011, Shoham and Strauss, 2008, Srinivasan and Pyati, 2007, Fisher et al, 2004a, Benson-Rea and Rawlinson, 2003. The emerging type of migration embodied by young, highly skilledby young economic EU migrants has not been studied in depth within the information context.…”

“I actually got my first job through my ex-colleague”: Employment-related information seeking behavior of Bangladeshi immigrants in Canada

“…The authors conclude by highlighting the importance of information literacy skills in newcomers' employment-related settlements. Similar to Rayes et al (2016), a study on foreign-trained health professionals' labor market integration in the North American context by Caidi et al (2014) also highlights the centrality of career-related information needs among the participants of five online forums. Using content analysis, the authors describe the significant role online discussion forums play in forum participants' integration in the local health care system.…”

“…The study reports that although a large number of employment-related settlement services are offered by settlement agencies in Vancouver, the participants reported utilizing only a few of these. Rayes et al (2016) emphasize the centrality of the employment aspects among international medical graduates (IMGs) and the sources and strategies they use to meet their information needs for labor market integration in Canada and the United States. Caidi et al (2014) highlight the role online discussion forums play to help IMGs to integrate into the host country healthcare system.…”

“…Some of the participants in Allard and Caidi's study also found official information sources more helpful for their employment than their social networks. Another study by Rayes et al (2016) on 20 IMGs in Canada and the United States highlights occupational status and employment-related integration as the central concerns for their participants. IMGs in this study reported using various strategies to navigate through new information environments to gather information related to getting employed in the health sector.…”