Bridging the Gap: Designing Medical Integration Curricula for Foreign Healthcare Graduates in the Netherlands

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Workforce Integration
• Refugee Health

Background:

• Refugee healthcare professionals face significant barriers integrating into host country health systems.
• The Dutch healthcare system experiences workforce shortages and a lack of diversity.
• Existing integration curricula for newcoming healthcare professionals are limited and unevaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an innovative bridging module for newly arrived healthcare professionals in the Dutch healthcare system.
• To address the mutual benefits of integrating skilled refugee professionals into a system with workforce needs.

Main Methods:

• The development followed the eight steps of Design-Based Research in Medical Education.
• Included pilot refugee observerships and a health systems analysis with a scoping review.
• A six-month integration curriculum was designed and implemented.

Main Results:

• The bridging program received a high number of applications, indicating strong demand.
• Participants reported enhanced integration and language proficiency.
• The program facilitated entry-level employment opportunities for participants.
• The initiative expanded regionally, involving additional hospitals.

Conclusions:

• Hospital-coordinated bridging curricula accelerate the integration of skilled refugee healthcare professionals.
• These programs address societal needs for a sustainable, diverse, and adequately staffed healthcare system.
• Educational innovations can effectively support the inclusion of international medical talent.