International Medical Graduate Integration into the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS): A practice note

Australia’s healthcare workforce shortage demands innovative solutions to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare. International Medical Graduates (IMGs), particularly those on the standard pathway—doctors whose primary medical qualifications are obtained in non-comparable healthcare systems...

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Main Author: Thi Aung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ACHSM 2024-12-01
Series:Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.achsm.org.au/index.php/achsm/article/view/4153
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author Thi Aung
author_facet Thi Aung
author_sort Thi Aung
collection DOAJ
description Australia’s healthcare workforce shortage demands innovative solutions to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare. International Medical Graduates (IMGs), particularly those on the standard pathway—doctors whose primary medical qualifications are obtained in non-comparable healthcare systems such as those outside the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, or New Zealand—play a crucial role in bridging workforce gaps. However, transitioning into the Australian healthcare system presents significant challenges for these IMGs, including adapting to clinical practices, communication styles, and cultural norms. This practice note outlines the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service’s (SCHHS) comprehensive IMG integration program, specifically designed to address the unique needs of standard pathway IMGs. The program, structured into three phases—robust selection, structured orientation and onboarding, and ongoing mentorship—has demonstrated high retention rates, enhanced IMG confidence, and positive feedback from both participants and supervisors. Key findings from the SCHHS initiative underscore the importance of early, structured support in mitigating the difficulties faced by IMGs during their transition. This model provides a scalable approach to improving IMG integration, enhancing patient safety, and addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages across Australia.
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spelling doaj-art-d8fee5b282324b6ba6bc9a04e880097b2025-08-20T02:52:17ZengACHSMAsia Pacific Journal of Health Management1833-38182204-31362024-12-0110.24083/apjhm.v19i3.4153International Medical Graduate Integration into the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS): A practice noteThi Aung0Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Queensland, Australia Australia’s healthcare workforce shortage demands innovative solutions to ensure the delivery of high-quality healthcare. International Medical Graduates (IMGs), particularly those on the standard pathway—doctors whose primary medical qualifications are obtained in non-comparable healthcare systems such as those outside the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, or New Zealand—play a crucial role in bridging workforce gaps. However, transitioning into the Australian healthcare system presents significant challenges for these IMGs, including adapting to clinical practices, communication styles, and cultural norms. This practice note outlines the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service’s (SCHHS) comprehensive IMG integration program, specifically designed to address the unique needs of standard pathway IMGs. The program, structured into three phases—robust selection, structured orientation and onboarding, and ongoing mentorship—has demonstrated high retention rates, enhanced IMG confidence, and positive feedback from both participants and supervisors. Key findings from the SCHHS initiative underscore the importance of early, structured support in mitigating the difficulties faced by IMGs during their transition. This model provides a scalable approach to improving IMG integration, enhancing patient safety, and addressing critical healthcare workforce shortages across Australia. http://journal.achsm.org.au/index.php/achsm/article/view/4153healthcare workforceinnovative solutionsintegration program
spellingShingle Thi Aung
International Medical Graduate Integration into the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS): A practice note
Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management
healthcare workforce
innovative solutions
integration program
title International Medical Graduate Integration into the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS): A practice note
title_full International Medical Graduate Integration into the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS): A practice note
title_fullStr International Medical Graduate Integration into the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS): A practice note
title_full_unstemmed International Medical Graduate Integration into the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS): A practice note
title_short International Medical Graduate Integration into the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (SCHHS): A practice note
title_sort international medical graduate integration into the sunshine coast hospital and health service schhs a practice note
topic healthcare workforce
innovative solutions
integration program
url http://journal.achsm.org.au/index.php/achsm/article/view/4153
work_keys_str_mv AT thiaung internationalmedicalgraduateintegrationintothesunshinecoasthospitalandhealthserviceschhsapracticenote