Despite the warm welcome, foreign doctors experience specific challenges that could hinder retention. Richard Hurley speaks to some of the international medical graduates who help keep the NHS running
The NHS has long relied on professionals from abroad. Last year, a third of the 136 322 doctors working in NHS hospital and community services in England reported a non-British nationality—representing 168 other counties,1 including Egypt, India, Ireland, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
Although employers, colleagues, and patients are mostly welcoming, insufficient initial and ongoing support, social isolation, arduous visa and exam requirements, and racism can lead to demoralisation, anxiety, and burnout. Attention to these challenges could help improve recruitment and retention of the international medical graduates (IMGs), crucial to tackling chronic NHS understaffing to the tune of 12 000 hospital doctors.2
### From India
#### In the UK since 2016
IMGs coming for fellowships expect to get accredited training. But soon you realise that you …