Professional Practice of Ukrainian Doctors in Germany and Poland—Legal and Ethical Considerations

Abstract

The ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in 2022, has displaced millions of people, creating immense challenges for healthcare systems in refugee-receiving countries. While temporary protection aims to grant refugees access to medical care, significant structural barriers and ethical shortcomings exist in refugee healthcare. To meet this challenge, the authors propose considering the integration of displaced physicians into the medical care systems of host countries. This solution not only meets the immediate healthcare demands but also leverages the expertise of Ukrainian doctors. The implementation in Germany and Poland exemplifies the current heterogeneity of regulations governing the professional practice of Ukrainian physicians, with individual workarounds such as the possibility of treating fellow Ukrainians while waiting for the approval of the license. From an ethical perspective, the dilemma between the urgent need for additional physicians and ensuring patient safety by thoroughly assessing all doctors’ qualifications is a critical concern. Considering all the analyzed aspects, the authors advocate for harmonizing the regulations across the EU and removing barriers that limit healthcare access for refugees. They further stress the importance of developing comprehensive long-term strategies to ensure sustained healthcare access for Ukrainian refugees.