Diverse cultures, resilience, unconventional career paths and lack of career support and advice – these are the defining characteristics that shape international medical graduates (IMGs) as they embark on their professional journey in the UK. As an IMG who completed undergraduate training in India followed by the MRCP exam in Manchester, I understand this first-hand.
Diversity and inclusion aren’t just ethical imperatives, they’re also crucial to the effectiveness of teams. Diverse teams bring different knowledge, skills and experience to the table, which aids problem-solving, critical thinking and leads to better decision-making.
At the RCR, we have a real opportunity to harness the many years of experience our IMGs have gained from working in healthcare systems across the world and support them to apply that experience to the work of oncology and radiology teams within the NHS.
Effective integration
Most recently, we held our first SAS engagement day and heard about the experiences of IMGs seeking to integrate into the NHS. Our IMG delegates were clear that qualifications and experience alone are not sufficient to enable a smooth transition into a new working environment. Only by properly attending to IMGs’ induction needs will we enable effective integration and be able to support them in working efficiently.
Our delegates also highlighted three different categories of induction support they value:
- An introduction to life in the UK including how to find somewhere to live, open a bank account and find a school for their children.
- Understanding communication and working culture.
- Specialty-specific induction, including differences in clinical practice between the UK and other healthcare systems.
As a College we aim to help IMGs understand these differences; particularly those considering a move to the UK or who are new to the NHS.
Reassurance and guidance
Delegates expressed their frustrations at the risk of questions getting ‘stuck’ with HR teams, who often act as a gateway between the individual doctor and the clinical team they will be working with. Access to a mentor for reassurance and guidance right from the start was also identified as being valuable. IMGs seeking a mentor to support them in their transition to working in the UK, or in exploring progression opportunities, can find support through the RCR’s mentoring platform, and we continue to curate a range of useful resources for IMGs.
Perhaps the best advocates for IMGs though are those who have gone before them. By, generously sharing the challenges they overcame, they can offer valuable experience and support to those new to the UK and ensure they thrive in their roles within the NHS.
