Liaison Officer for International Medical Graduates: Research Findings from Australia

Abstract

There is an increasing international movement of physicians, with substantial numbers of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) now seeking jobs outside the countries in which they were educated. For IMGs there are potential elements of crisis and loss associated with this transition. This article presents findings from Australian-based research which explores the IMGs' experience during entry to their chosen country and posits the need for a designated liaison officer to help support the transition. The research was based on thirty open-ended, qualitative interviews which were coded and thematically analyzed. The findings document factors associated with the decision to leave their country of origin, psycho-social aspects of stress experienced upon arrival in Australia, and the participants' perspective on the suggestion for the appointment of a hospitalbased liaison officer to assist IMGs during the transition process.

International medical graduates' experiences before and after migration: A meta‐ethnography of qualitative studies

“…Another dimension was opportunities for professional education and development, which was both a push and pull factor. 19,21,42,[46][47][48][49]54 This dimension was also considered when contemplating whether to remain in the host country, go back to the original country or migrate elsewhere. An example of the latter was seen in the accounts of IMGs, who did not have opportunities to develop professionally in Ireland and were considering moving elsewhere, for example, to the United States.…”

“…52 Work conditions and pay were other dimensions that IMGs considered. 19,21,42,[47][48][49] The difference between countries could be stark, for example, when comparing these in some low-income countries with higher-income countries. 19,21,42,[47][48][49] It could also be more subtle, for example, migration of UK doctors to Australia 47 or between Nordic countries.…”

“…14,32,37,47,52,58,59 Having suffered financial loss, they also suffered loss of social connections and professional status. 32,37,43,56,60,61 The period from landing to resuming professional roles as doctors was a challenging one 18,19,32,[35][36][37]40,42,43,46,47,55,[57][58][59]62,63 especially when sitting licensing exams. 18,19,32,35,36,40,42,43,46,47,55,[57][58][59]62,63 Information about these exams could be hard to find, and the assessment methods could be alien, all leading to a heightened state of anxiety regarding the licensing process.…”

“…18,19,32,35,36,40,42,43,46,47,55,[57][58][59]62,63 Information about these exams could be hard to find, and the assessment methods could be alien, all leading to a heightened state of anxiety regarding the licensing process. 18,[35][36][37]40,47,58,62 Added to that, IMGs often had to find other jobs to sustain them and their families until they passed exams. 18,19,36,43,57 The pressure led some IMGs to abandon a career in medicine, especially women who often felt that it was their responsibility to look after their families and children.…”

“…37 It was also during this period that IMGs had to secure their family's basic human needs 64 from accommodation to schooling and banking, adding to the anxiety and stress. 37,47,55,65 Once IMGs obtained their licences, they competed for posts with DMGs and often lost out to the competition for popular posts and had to settle for less popular ones, often in areas remote to where they landed. 15,18,66 This could lead to separation from their families, which negatively affected their mental well-being as they lost a vital source of comfort and support.…”