Overseas recruitment. The Spanish acquisitions

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Workforce Studies
• International Medical Recruitment
• General Practice

Background:

• Addressing GP shortages in the UK.
• Exploring international recruitment as a solution.
• Pilot project funded by the Department of Health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and challenges of recruiting Spanish General Practitioners (GPs) to UK practices.
• To identify key support mechanisms for international medical graduates.
• To evaluate the initial integration of foreign-trained doctors.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of 17 Spanish GPs to practices in Liverpool and Manchester.
• Employment on two-year contracts with a specified salary.
• Inclusion of a four-month induction period in a training practice.

Main Results:

• Spanish GPs demonstrated a lack of experience in interviewing potential employers.
• Difficulties were observed in negotiating job plans among the recruited GPs.
• The project highlighted the critical role of language support and mentorship.

Conclusions:

• International recruitment of GPs requires tailored support beyond basic language assistance.
• Structured induction programs are crucial for successful integration.
• Mentorship from senior clinicians ('senior champions') significantly aids the process.