PubMed:29351712 JSONTXT

[Immigrated Physicians: Chances and Challenges]. Zugewanderte Ärzte: Chancen und Herausforderungen im deutschen Klinikalltag. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the health care infrastructure of Germany a demand for physicians with immigrant background exists. The situation of immigrated physicians is largely unexplored so far. In the framework of a pilot study stressors and resources of physicians with immigrant background have been explored concerning their migration-related experiences at German hospitals, and within the medical team. METHODS: As part of a qualitative analysis 8 physicians with immigrant background have been interviewed (problem-centered interview) from July to September 2014. The respondents stemmed from countries of the European Union and of non-EU countries. They have worked for 1-4,5 years in different German hospitals. RESULTS: Stressors and challenges derived from a lack in German language skills, different medical skills, cooperation in the team, and from dealing with a new health care system. Perceived discrimination by colleagues and patients represented a particular burden. In the meantime physicians with immigrant background disposed resources on different levels as on communicational, medical, social and organizational levels. DISCUSSION: The results highlight the particular demands that physicians with immigrant background face. Future research should explore potentials of stressors and resources for physicians with immigrant background by using quantitative methods; in terms of a multi-perspective approach German colleagues and patients should be included.