International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in the UK—a Systematic Review of Their Acculturation and Adaptation

Farooq Ahmed Khan (), Shivaram Chikkatagaiah, Mohammed Shafiullah, Mahmood Nasiri, Anoop Saraf, Tarun Sehgal, Ashish Rana, George Tadros and Paul Kingston
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Farooq Ahmed Khan: Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Shivaram Chikkatagaiah: Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust
Mohammed Shafiullah: Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Mahmood Nasiri: Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Anoop Saraf: South London and Maudsley NHS Trust
Tarun Sehgal: Leeds and York Partnership NHS Trust
Ashish Rana: Bradford District Care Trust
George Tadros: University of Warwick
Paul Kingston: University of Chester

Journal of International Migration and Integration, 2015, vol. 16, issue 3, No 16, 743-759

Abstract: Abstract International medical graduates (IMGs) constitute about 23–28 % of the medical workforce providing support and contribution to the UK, Canada, USA and Australia. This review will inform the need for trainers, deaneries and colleges to plan and develop strategies to enhance the potential of IMGs. The authors aim to review and inform the relevant authorities about the barriers faced by IMGs in training and career progression in the UK health service. Two hundred forty-eight studies were reviewed at step 1; 54 were excluded on the basis of selection criteria, and further 115 studies were excluded which did not focus on issues discussed in the selection criteria; and after reviewing 79 studies, a further 20 were excluded for methodological qualities, and finally, 59 were included. The results have been discussed under various themes which emerged as significant issues related to IMGs. Seeking better life and higher education and training are the main reasons for migration. The training process of IMGs in their own countries impacts on the transition process results in struggling career progression. The most crucial impediment in the path of career progression is the process of passing examinations which IMGs face during their career struggle. The psychological aspects of migration and legal and ethical issues are found to be significant for IMGs. They also struggle with the adaptations needed with reference to learning and teaching styles resulting in the change of multiple specialties. IMGs contributed significantly to not only filling the space of under-recruitment but also serving comprehensively in a variety of specialties. There has been a consistent decline in preferring some specialties as career option among UK medical graduates and medical students. IMGs migrate to foreign countries in pursuit of better medical education, desire for better income, general security and improved prospects for the family, but in doing so, they are confronted with psychosocial problems, cultural differences, hurdles in career progression and passing exams.

Keywords: International medical graduates; IMGs; Migrant doctors; Acculturation; Adaptation; Training issues of IMGs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1007/s12134-014-0368-y

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