478 Career Transition Experience of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) Within the NHS Post-COVID19: Evaluation of Challenges and Support

Abstract

Abstract Aim The main purpose of this research is to identify the challenges facing international medical graduates (IMGs) during their career transition into the National Health Service (NHS), particularly post-pandemic, and evaluate the organisational support offered to them, its significance, and its effectiveness in easing their transition, based on the practice of inclusion. Method A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted with a mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected firstly by online questionnaires (n = 72), followed by semi-structured interviews with part of the first-stage participants (n = 4). Quantitative data were analysed in SPSS whereas thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Results The findings show positive insights regarding the support offered to IMGs throughout the pandemic, particularly from seniors and colleagues. It points out the crucial role of the support, organisational support as well as seniors' and colleagues' support, in facilitating the career transition of the IMGs into the NHS in order to fulfil their capabilities and benefit the service as well as move up the career ladder. The equality of support was a point of concern when it comes to the nature of IMGs’ starting position (training/non-training). Conclusions The study reveals that it is beneficial to have a higher level of support for the IMGs right from the early stages. Organisational support interventions should be sustained by ongoing seniors’ and peers’ support to get the functional adjustment level of the newcomer IMGs and assist them in their progression.