Five ways to get a grip on using the Corruption Perceptions Index to support internationally trained physicians

Internationally trained physicians (ITPs) are often grouped and assessed using geographic classifications that obscure meaningful variation in training environments and institutional integrity. This commentary discusses that medical regulators require contextual tools that move beyond country labels toward more transparent, systems-level understanding. We discuss the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) as one such tool-not as a measure of individual competence, nor as a gatekeeping mechanism, but as a signal of governance and educational context. Drawing on evidence linking corruption to health, education, and professional systems, we propose 5 principles for how regulators might use the CPI responsibly to support fair assessment, proportionate regulation, and structured integration of ITPs. Used cautiously and transparently, the CPI can help regulators better align public protection with equity, without reinforcing stigma or exclusion.