International medical graduates' reflections on facilitators and barriers to undertaking the Australian Medical Council examination

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pam McGrath ◽  
Saras Henderson ◽  
Hamish A. Holewa ◽  
David Henderson ◽  
John Tamargo
Keyword(s):  
Medical Training ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
International Medical ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Program Coordinators ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

Objective. In Australia, 25% of international medical graduates (IMGs) make up the medical workforce. Concern is expressed in the literature about the lack of awareness and knowledge of issues that impinge on IMGs’ education. Although there is literature alluding to difficulties IMGs face with undertaking the Australian Medical Council (AMC) examination, there is little research detailing this experience. We therefore explored IMGs’ reflections on facilitators and barriers in undertaking the AMC examination. Methods. After ethics approval, in-depth telephone interviews were conducted with 30 IMGs selected from a hospital in Queensland. Data were coded and analysed using thematic analysis principles. Results. Two facilitating themes were identified: ability to sit for the first part of the examination in country of origin; and having access to resources such as bridging courses and study groups. Three themes represented barriers: not understanding procedural steps; financial issues; and lack of information on examination content and standards. Conclusion. The themes provide new insights and add depth to existing literature that can be used to improve procedural processes and education for IMGs towards successful outcomes in the AMC examination. What is known about the topic? There is concern expressed in the literature about the lack of awareness and knowledge of issues that impinge on IMGs education. The Australian work that is available only depicts educational experience of fellowships or education and training strategies after IMGs have passed their AMC examination. What does this paper add? The findings indicate that the process of sitting for the AMC examination is perceived as one of the major difficulties associated with entering and integrating into the Australian health system. The findings indicate a range of practical, financial and resource problems faced by IMGs attempting to sit for the AMC examination. What are the implications for practitioners? The detailed accounts from IMGs about their experience with undertaking the AMC examination will provide up-skilling program coordinators with the information they need to better assist IMGs to prepare for the examination. The provision of appropriate medical training and educational support will contribute to more effective integration of IMGs into the healthcare system.

Challenges of medical residency. Are they perceived and addressed differently by international medical graduates, Canadian medical graduates, and preceptors?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neda Abedi ◽  
Michelle McCarren ◽  
Farzaneh Sheidaei ◽  
Andriyka L. Papish
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
International Medical ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Residency Programs ◽  
Program Coordinators ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Item Level ◽  
Scale Scores ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background: Residency is an important and challenging part of medical education. Some of these challenges are common to all residents and some are specific to a particular group of residents. A number of studies have addressed the challenges of residency. To our knowledge, the experience of challenges from the perspective of international medical graduates (IMGs), Canadian medical graduates (CMGs), and their preceptors has not been studied in a single residency cohort. This study represents a valuable step in addressing the differential needs of international and Canadian medical graduates and in identifying the way different groups of residents can support each other to function better during residency.Methods: We surveyed residents and preceptors to determine what they perceive to be the greatest challenges for each group during residency. The survey was sent to the program coordinators of all English language psychiatry residency programs in Canada to be distributed to all residents and preceptors. Three reminders were sent, and a prize draw was offered to participants. Mean scale scores were calculated. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were calculated to compare resident self-ratings between groups, preceptors' ratings of each resident group's challenges, and all four groups' perceptions of the challenges experienced by different groups. To determine the particular types of challenges that residents experience, multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) were also used for item-level comparisons.Results: 177 residents and 82 preceptors completed the survey. We found no significant differences in the mean scale scores for how each group rated their own challenges though the most challenging area was different for each group of residents. Preceptors viewed FIMGs as experiencing the greatest challenges (M = 3.27, SD = 0.066, 95% CI [3.11, 3.41]) and CMGs, the least (M = 2.02, SD = 0.59, 95% CI [1.89, 2.16]; F (2, 227) = 88.030, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Although the degree of challenge perceived by all groups of residents was relatively similar in general, different groups of residents identified different areas of challenges from their own perspective, and these areas differed from those identified by their resident colleagues and preceptors as being challenging for each group. This study highlights the necessity for reviewing the needs, strengths, and challenges of each group of residents and the importance of better communication between preceptors and residents regarding the different areas of challenges.

scholarly journals Licensing and Registration of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Canada and Australia: an Explorative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Fiodorov
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
International Medical ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Health Care Workforce ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Explorative Study ◽  
Educational Credentials ◽  
Market Needs ◽  
Permanent Residents

Canadian and Australian licensing and registration policies regarding International Medical Graduates (IMGs) display some noticeable similarities and differences. Both receiving countries verify IMGs educational credentials, medical training, and language proficiency, apply examinations assessing the skills of this group of foreign trained doctors and tend to place IMGs in underserviced areas responding to health care workforce shortages. However, the Australian nationally regulated, focused on specific labour market needs approach to registration allows IMGs to use various pathways to registration. IMGs who enter Australia utilizing different immigration options have to be registered by the designated registration bodies and, in most cases, to have a verified offer of employment before they are granted visas by the immigration authorities. Consequently, they can start practicing medicine right after their arrival. On the contrary, their Canadian counterparts begin their licensing process only after they enter Canada as permanent residents. The urgent need for nationally consistent, pragmatic and flexible approach to licensing of foreign trained doctors in this country is emphasized.

Dynamics of international medical graduates’ migration

2021 ◽  
pp. 613-622
Author(s):  
Nyapati Rao ◽  
Saeed Ahmed ◽  
Dinesh Bhugra
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
High Income ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Migration Patterns ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Evidence Based Care ◽  
The Waves

International medical graduates (IMGs) provide an invaluable service in many high-income countries. Their migration patterns vary and the post-migration adjustments need to be understood to ensure that they remain well and are looked after. They hail from a variety of medical schools and with varying linguistic skills. Their religious backgrounds vary, as do reasons for migration and personal responses to changes in working in different healthcare systems. With many students from high-income countries going into low-income countries to do their medical training, the processes of adjustment can bring certain challenges. The waves of IMGs have changed from Europe to Hispanic to South Asian IMGs. The training needs of IMGs include an understanding of the healthcare system, as well as picking up evidence-based care. Language barriers and social isolation, especially for those who did not speak English as their first language or are working in remote areas can create problems in functioning well.

scholarly journals Medical Migration: a review on the licensing process for International Medical Graduates in Australia and other destinations

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-34
Author(s):  
Sharafat Malek ◽  
Md Humayun Kabir Talukder
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
International Medical ◽  
Adjustment Process ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Medical Migration ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Permanent Migration

Movement of health care professionals, nationally or internationally, has now become a common trend worldwide. International recruitment of efficient physicians is an ongoing process for years although some studies have identified this culture as an issue.10-11 Waves of migration to popularly Australia under ‘Skilled Migration’ and other categories started in Bangladesh in early 1970, which have been ongoing since then.1 Among over thirty thousands of such migrants living in the popularly Australian States2; the medical graduates from Bangladesh are identified through their associations/forum made in each State as well as from the data on their participation in the re-accreditation examinations.3-4, 7-8 A lack of pre-migration awareness on social and academic barriers in the host country has been found far more common in the Australian International Medical Graduates’ (IMGs) studies published before 20045. Poor knowledge on the hurdles may affect IMGs’ post-migration coping or adjustment process. Fortunately, internet facilities are widely available so, modern IMGs no more need to rely on information from relatives, friends or high commission/embassy people. Yet, full access to career and job related journals could still be out of reach for many IMGs. Updated clear knowledge around licenselegislation at the destination would help IMGs gaining smoother transition whilst preparing to build the same career, albeit in a different system. This review article at first presents the background behind strict regulations on permitting the IMGs to practise in major destinations. It then progresses with reviewing these regulations in the developed countries including Australia. Following that a detailed summary has been made on the Australian regulations. Available literature6-8 demonstrates a large discrepancy between IMGs’ success rates in the knowledge and practical part of the licensing (Australian Medical Council) process (i.e. 80% vs. 42% in case of Bangladeshi-IMGs). Therefore, this paper has properly discussed the nature and structure of the practical (AMC-Clinical) examination incorporating examples. Useful web-links on Australian IMGs’ accreditation preparation, permanent migration and finding medical jobs have been provided at relevant sections. Finally, a recommendation has been made to teach 3rd-year medical students on this important area under the ‘Community Medicine’ curriculum in Bangladesh.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Education Vol.9(1) 2018: 26-34

scholarly journals Bridging the gap – MTI experience to an excellent MTI experience – An experiential, theme driven, concordance verifying study

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S134-S135
Author(s):  
Arun Enara ◽  
Kabir Garg ◽  
Ramachandran Kanchana
Keyword(s):  
Medical Training ◽  
International Medical ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Training Initiative ◽  
Shared Experiences ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Good Concordance ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Equivalent Program

AimsTo collate experiences of international medical graduates (trained psychiatrists) on the Medical Training Initiative (MTI) and equivalent programs (International Medical Fellowship (IMF)/CESR Fellowships) in the United Kingdom and to understand shared themes.MethodThree psychiatrists with the experience of being part of MTI/IMF program, for a minimum of 1 year, participated in theme guided, focussed discussions to understand common experiences. These discussion where limited to 3 broad headings. Opportunities to grow, what we wish the college knew and what we wished the trusts and supervisors knew. The experiential accounts were captured and circulated among a group of 20 MTI/IMF/CESR fellowship doctors and rated on a 5 point Likert scale varying between strongly agree to strongly disagree.ResultThe findings suggest that the expectations and experiences of the psychiatrists on such programs share some common themes. Most of them had varied experiences under the theme ‘opportunities to grow’. The suggestions for what these doctors ‘wished the trusts, college and supervisors knew’ had a good concordance among the 20 doctors who reviewed the themes and suggestions. The details of the themes and commonalities will be discussed at the conference.ConclusionThe expectations and experiences of the doctors on MTI/equivalent program share common themes. Bridging the gap between MTI experience to an excellent MTI experience would involve identifying such shared experiences, that could potentially guide development of processes, thereby making these training fellowships better tailored to each trainee.

scholarly journals Licensing and Registration of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in Canada and Australia: an Explorative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Fiodorov
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
International Medical ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Health Care Workforce ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Explorative Study ◽  
Educational Credentials ◽  
Market Needs ◽  
Permanent Residents

Canadian and Australian licensing and registration policies regarding International Medical Graduates (IMGs) display some noticeable similarities and differences. Both receiving countries verify IMGs educational credentials, medical training, and language proficiency, apply examinations assessing the skills of this group of foreign trained doctors and tend to place IMGs in underserviced areas responding to health care workforce shortages. However, the Australian nationally regulated, focused on specific labour market needs approach to registration allows IMGs to use various pathways to registration. IMGs who enter Australia utilizing different immigration options have to be registered by the designated registration bodies and, in most cases, to have a verified offer of employment before they are granted visas by the immigration authorities. Consequently, they can start practicing medicine right after their arrival. On the contrary, their Canadian counterparts begin their licensing process only after they enter Canada as permanent residents. The urgent need for nationally consistent, pragmatic and flexible approach to licensing of foreign trained doctors in this country is emphasized.

scholarly journals International migration of health labour: monitoring the two-way flow of physicians in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. e001566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhenaten Siankam Tankwanchi ◽  
Amy Hagopian ◽  
Sten H Vermund
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Health Personnel ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
International Medical ◽  
International Medical Graduates ◽  
Medical Council ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
The Difference

IntroductionAlthough health labour migration is a global phenomenon, studies have neglected the flow of health workers into low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). In compliance with the data-monitoring recommendation of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (Code), we estimated post-Code physician net migration (NM) in South Africa (SA), and SA’s net loss of physicians to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries from 2010 to 2014.MethodsWe sourced data from the National Reporting Instrument reports, the OECD and the General Medical Council. Using the numbers of foreign nationals and international medical graduates (IMGs) registered in SA, and SA medical graduates registered in OECD countries (South African-trained international medical graduates (SA-IMGs)) as respective proxies for immigration and emigration, we estimated ‘NM’ as the difference between immigrant physicians and emigrant physicians and ‘net loss’ as the difference between OECD-trained IMGs and OECD-based SA-IMGs.ResultsIn 2010, SA hosted 8443 immigrant physicians, while OECD countries hosted 14 933 SA-IMGs, yielding a NM of −6490 physicians and a NM rate of −18% in SA. By 2014, SA-based immigrant physicians had increased by 4%, while SA-IMGs had decreased by −15%, halving the NM rate to −9%. SA-to-OECD estimated net loss of physicians dropped from −12 739 physicians in 2010 to −10 563 in 2014. IMGs represented 46% of 2010–2014 new registrations in SA, with the UK, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo serving as leading sources. Registrants from conflict-scarred Libya increased >100-fold. More than 3400 SA-IMGs exited OECD-based workforces.ConclusionNM is a better measure of the brain drain than simply the emigration fraction. Strengthened health personnel data management and reporting through implementation of the Code-related system of National Health Workforce Accounts will further increase our understanding of health worker mobility in LMICs, with policymakers empowered to make more informed policies to address shortage.

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