The inpatriation of foreign healthcare workers: a potential remedy for the chronic shortage of professional staff

Abstract

The healthcare industry has been racked with inadequate supply of professionals in key positions in the last decade. Healthcare providers have attempted to address this complex problem in a variety of ways. One strategy that has recently gained a great deal of attention has been the recruiting of foreign healthcare providers to relocate/immigrate to the US. While this strategy has had mixed results, it is forecasted that the shortage of healthcare professionals will necessitate healthcare providers to continue this practice and to develop a means to improve the success rate of these professional transplants. This paper addresses the concept of inpatriation of professional employees from foreign countries into the healthcare system in the US.