Licensing Options for International Medical Graduates
RURAL IMPACT
Of the 7,000 areas in the U.S. currently experiencing a healthcare shortage, 60% of them are in rural areas.
Fewer than 40% of rural primary care providers remain in the same rural community for five consecutive years.
19.3% of IMGs serve in rural areas.
12.4% of IMGs were likely to practice in “rural persistent poverty locations,” compared to 9.1% of other primary care providers.
Across the U.S., communities face healthcare worker shortages—often at the expense of residents who lack access to essential preventative and ongoing care. This pain is acutely felt in rural communities. At the same time, the country has a robust community of new Americans who received their medical degree and training outside of the U.S.—known as International Medical Graduates (IMGs)—and whose skills are currently underutilized.
IMMIGRANT HEALTHCARE WORKERS
Despite completing medical school, residency, and practicing in their home country, IMGs must redo parts of this process to practice in the U.S.
COMMON OBSTACLES
The recertification process is cost and time prohibitive (translation services, testing, residency match process) • Limits on the recognition of international degrees and credentials • Inaccessibility of the relicensing process • Inequitable access to residency spots & limited residency spots • Lack of assistance in finding suitable employment
SOLUTIONS
All solutions should prioritize patient safety. This means IMG demonstration of English proficiency and, as is currently required in all states, Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates Certification and successful completion of Steps 1 and 2 of United States Medical Licensing Examination.
RESIDENCY FUNDING
Despite medical schools increasing enrollment, the number of residency spots across the U.S. has not increased accordingly.
State or private funding for additional residency spots
Funding for residency spots and programming specific to IMGs
Include a commitment to serve in an underserved community post-residency
ALTERNATIVE LICENSING PATHWAYS
New licenses option for IMGs that better honor their skills and experience, and that allow them to contribute to healthcare needs.
Assistant Physician or conditional MD license
Direct supervision from MD
Opportunity to advance to MD license
A requirement to serve in rural or other underserved areas
Matching funds for primary care clinics in underserved areas that utilize Assistant Physicians
WORK OR STUDY GROUP
A state-established group to look at barriers preventing IMGs from contributing to the healthcare workforce, including residency access, pre-residency training, and to look at barriers preventing IMGs from becoming licensed and contributing to the healthcare workforce, including residency access and pre-residency training and testing.
Some recommendations from groups have included funding for IMG training programs, grant-funded career guidance for IMGs, clinical readiness and/or residency readiness programs, and designated IMG residency spots.
Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash