Deep diving into our IMG workforce Elizabeth Brown | Senior Communications Advisor
A
s we know, New Zealand is heavily reliant on overseas-trained medical specialists. They make up 43% of our senior medical workforce – the second highest proportion in the OECD.
They are critical to keeping our health system going and to the sustainability of the workforce in meeting the country’s growing health needs. Just how reliant our smaller regional DHBs are on international medical graduates (IMGs) is clearly illustrated below. Last year the Medical Council noted a marked increase in overseas doctors seeking specialist registration. However, historically, turnover of IMGs is high, and there is little data on what actually shapes their experience of working in New Zealand and how we can better recruit and retain them. This year ASMS will be embarking on research to better understand why IMGs come to New Zealand, what distinct challenges they face settling and working here, and what specific support they and their families need to help them stay in the country. Ahead of this research we spoke to three IMGs to get some initial thoughts.
IMG DISTRIBUTION Wairarapa Whanganui Tairawhiti Northland MidCentral Lakes Bay of Plenty Waikato Southern West Coast South Canterbury Hawke’s Bay Taranaki Nelson Marlborough Waitemata Capital & Coast Canterbury Hutt Valley Auckland Counties Manukau 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Overseas-trained % where country known
70%
80%
90%
100%
NZ trained
Proportion of IMGs among DHB SMO workforce as at 30 June 2021. (TAS)
WWW.ASMS.ORG.NZ | THE SPECIALIST
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