Preparing international doctors for Australian workforce with a tropical twist

A pilot program providing enhanced support to international doctors seeking entry to the Australian healthcare system has welcomed its first cohort of international medical graduates (IMGs) to Townsville University Hospital. 

The NQ IMG Prep Program is a 12-week work placement program where doctors are supported in their core knowledge and skills through a clinical placement at TUH. 

Director of clinical training NQ IMG Prep Program Associate Professor Rebecca Stewart said the program addressed several barriers IMGs faced in becoming ‘work-ready’ for Australian healthcare. 

“There’s minimal opportunities to become orientated to the Australian healthcare system in their role as a medical practitioner,” A/Prof Stewart said. 

“Whether that’s from gaining recency of practice in their home country or Australia, familiarising themselves with Medicare, Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, allied health referrals, how our health system functions generally, and experiencing the health system outside of the big cities. 

“Around 53 per cent* of the rural GP workforce is IMGs, so we also provide them support outside of the workplace with information about things to do in the area, schools for their kids, housing, and collegiate support.” 

Interest in the program had been strong from IMGs who were experiencing difficulties, from gaining registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to familiarising themselves with healthcare legislation. 

“We’ve developed a series of online modules to address all the core knowledge requirements,” A/Prof Stewart said. 

“Then over the course of the 12 weeks, they’ll work alongside the interns and senior medical officers and do mandatory skills training. We also support them in their study for their clinical exams.” 

Dr Ethan Wang, originally from China, moved to Australia eight years ago before he was able to complete his training as a cardiothoracic surgeon. 

He said the support provided by the NQ IMG Prep Program had been invaluable as he tried to navigate the complex Australian healthcare system. 

“Gaining (AHPRA Level 1) registration can be a little bit tricky and complicated, and having my documents from China verified here was difficult,” Dr Wang said. 

“The NQ IMG Prep Program team offered a lot of support and always kept me updated about what stage my application was at.” 

Dr Wang said he appreciated the varied workload and exposure to the different specialties during the program.

“We are exposed to a variety of scenarios in the program, and we gain a better understanding of the medical system, what a routine practice looks like and how to use the computer system,” he said. 

“It’s a very full program but I think it suits me more because it’s very hands on, the opportunities for us are more visible and we’re supported every step of the way.” 

A/Prof Stewart said the hope is that upon completion of the program, IMGs would look to stay in the north Queensland region. 

“We’re trying to sell north Queensland and TUH as an IMG friendly hospital,” she said. 

“They’ll have a better understanding of the system, the region, our policies and procedures, and they’ll have a network of colleagues here in north Queensland. 

“This group is going to be much more employable.” 

A prospect which excites Dr Wang. 

“Doing this program has meant a much smoother start to our practice,” he said. 

“Nothing is guaranteed of course, but if there’s an opportunity, I will be putting my hands up.”