From margins to mainstream: Incorporating internationally educated health professionals’ skills into primary care

Abstract

This case study explores the collaborative integration of Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) into comprehensive primary care through partnerships between non-profit organizations and health systems actors. It addresses the critical need for such collaboration amidst challenges of limited access to primary care and underutilization of IEHPs’ skills in the Canadian healthcare workforce. Through the examination of ACCES Employment’s integration into the Team Primary Care initiative, this article demonstrates the importance of coordinated efforts in overcoming longstanding barriers faced by IEHPs. Data collection involved a review of program activities, program reports, policy documents, and interviews with key collaborators to highlight strategies, partnerships, and outcomes. Data were analyzed to identify recurring patterns in collaborative integration efforts. The initiative reveals promising outcomes in facilitating IEHPs’ transition into various healthcare roles through increasing collaboration between non-profit workforce development organizations and health systems actors.