The Alternative Career Pathways for International Medical Graduates in Health and Wellness Sector

Abstract

International medical graduates (IMGs) are critical part of the healthcare system of the United States and Canada. However, they encounter a myriad of barriers to integrating professionally both as practicing physicians and as non-physicians in various alternative careers suitable to their knowledge and skills. There are some common barriers for both pathways such as financial barriers, local work experience, and communication and language difficulties. For alternative careers, however, the IMGs face some unique issues that include a lack of information on potential alternative careers and ways to obtain them, not recognizing their transferable skills by themselves and employers, and a lack of professional guidance, support, and bridging programs. There are different types of potential alternative careers those may be clinical or non-clinical, may or may not require licensure, and often ask for further training that may be minimal such as in-job training to extensive training such as a master’s degree or PhD.