Factors Influencing Expatriate Adjustment in Qatar's Healthcare Workforce: A Cross-Sectional Study

The healthcare industry in the Middle East significantly depends on expatriate professionals, whose ability to adjust to the local socio-cultural environment is critical for job satisfaction and, ultimately, the quality of patient care. This study aims to identify factors influencing expatriate adjustment within Qatar's healthcare sector.

A comprehensive cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 385 healthcare workers in Qatar, utilizing expatriate-focused WhatsApp groups for dissemination. The data collection took place from October 1 to December 31, 2022. The survey assessed various elements influencing expatriate adjustment, measuring both adjustment and social support using a five-point Likert scale, ranging from "Extremely Adjusted" to "Extremely Disadjusted" for adjustment and from "No one would support" to "Several would support" for social support.

The response rate was 51.69% (199/385), with participants representing 10 nationalities, predominantly aged 35-44 years and having a tenure of four to seven years in Qatar. Nurses and doctors comprised 83.9% of the respondents. Notably, females reported better adjustment (35.2% "Extremely Adjusted") compared to males (28.7%). Age significantly impacted adjustment, with the 35-44 age group exhibiting the highest proportion of "Extremely Adjusted" individuals (36.4%). While trends were observed regarding nationality and length of stay, they were not statistically significant. Proficiency in Arabic was positively correlated with adjustment (p = 0.053), particularly among fluent speakers (27.4% "Extremely Adjusted"). Social support was found to be crucial (p = 0.001), with a lack of support associated with a high rate of "Extremely Disadjusted" outcomes (72.7%).

This study highlights the key factors affecting expatriate adjustment in Qatar's healthcare sector, emphasizing the significance of cultural assimilation and social networks. Further research is warranted to explore targeted interventions that can facilitate expatriates' integration into social and professional networks, thereby enhancing their capacity to deliver high-quality healthcare services.