STARTING AS A DOCTOR IN THE UK
Doctors transitioning to the NHS after training or practising overseas bring welcome skills and expertise.
They may have valuable clinical experiences to share with UK colleagues, and bring linguistic and cultural knowledge that will enable them to meet the needs of patients more effectively from minority groups.
However, adapting established clinical practice to a new professional, linguistic and cultural environment is not always straightforward, and can present a range of challenges.
Some differences will be clear from the start, others may be less obvious initially. Some adjustments will be relatively straightforward, others will take time to become accustomed to and embed.
Relocating to a new country, and settling in socially, can be stressful in itself. Fortunately, there are many sources of support available, some of which are listed here, and others that will be offered locally.
Clinical roles may be differently defined in the UK, so that there may be areas of medical knowledge that need to be refreshed, NHS protocols and guidelines to learn or unfamiliar ethical standards to follow. Advice on these topics is given elsewhere in this e-learning package.
The focus of this module is on language, communication skills, and cultural factors that may impact on professional presentation. The areas highlighted here are those commonly cited in research, and frequently reported as challenges by international doctors seeking PSU support.
Questions for reflection for IMGs transitioning to the NHS:
- What are the linguistic skills and cultural expertise you bring to the UK’s diverse community of practice?
- How might you use these valuable skills to enhance the delivery of patient care?
- What differences have you already noticed in the way that healthcare is delivered in the UK?
- How prepared do you feel to practise in a new clinical, linguistic, and cultural environment? How might you need to adapt?
Resources:
‘Good Medical Practice’, is the GMC’s guidance on professional values and behaviours:
https://www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance/ethical-guidance-for-doctors/good-medical-practice
GMCs ethical guidance can be found here:
https://www.gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance
Scenarios to test your knowledge of medical ethics:
https://www.gmc-uk.org/gmpinaction/
GMC Workshop: Welcome to UK Practice
Welcome to UK Practice: Case Studies
Podcast: The Doctor’s Experience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqt_k59m_6w&feature=youtu.be
Information about registration and licensing:
https://www.gmc-uk.org/registration-and-licensing