A qualitative study of the experiences of Syrian physicians in Türkiye: the need to strengthen integration

Türkiye has been among the most welcoming for Syrian healthcare workers who have been forced from their homes due to the protracted conflict in Syria. It provides two main routes for work in Türkiye: one through formal accreditation processes to work in jobs equivalent to Turkish doctors and another through retraining as generalists to work in the Migrant Health Centres which cater to Syrian refugees across Türkiye. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of Syrian physicians living or working in Türkiye.

We used purposive and snowball sampling to identify Syrian physicians who were living or working in Türkiye at the time of the study. Interviews were conducted remotely in Arabic between February and August 2021 then transcribed and thematically analysed using a deductive approach to identify themes and subthemes.

Twenty three physicians were interviewed; 6 were female. Most resided in Gaziantep (15 of 23). The main themes are grouped as 1. Bureaucratic and academic challenges 2. Language, culture, and integration and 3. Personal impacts and future intentions. Many participants spoke of the prolonged journeys and challenges they faced whichever paths they chose; for many, obtaining ratifications of their certificates from the Syrian ministries was not possible, limiting their options. Themes around integration-related to language and culture (both in healthcare and in the community) also emerged.

Though Türkiye has provided the most favourable circumstances for Syrian physicians in the region, many personal and structural challenges remain; these impede successful career progress and integration. The interviews were conducted in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, economic and political upheavals and natural disasters have affected perceptions towards Syrian refugees in Türkiye, including for physicians. In early December 2024, the fall of Syria's regime will also likely have important impacts on physician intentions for remaining in Türkiye, return to Syria or migrate elsewhere. Further exploration of the impact of such changes is required to better understand the current experiences and intentions of Syrian physicians in Türkiye.