Challenges Experienced By North Korean Refugee Doctors in Acquiring a Medical License in South Korea: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Introduction: In general, refugee doctors encounter difficulties in regularly practicing medicine in their host countries. In particular, many barriers impede the efforts of North Korean refugee doctors (NKRDs) who have settled in South Korea to acquire a medical license in the country. This study examines the experiences and opinions of NKRDs in their attempts to acquire permission to legally practice medicine in South Korea and the opinions of South Korean experts regarding this matter. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted among 23 participants divided into 2 groups. The first group comprised 16 NKRDs recruited through snowball sampling, whereas the second group included 7 South Korean doctors experienced in operating programs assisting NKRDs in license acquisition. Results: All participating NKRDs perceived that they face grave difficulties at every stage of acquiring a South Korean medical license and, particularly, in gaining recognition for their educational credentials. Furthermore, South Korean experts expressed the necessity of supporting, establishing, and expanding a system in the country whereby NKRDs can acquire a medical license. Discussion: Strengthening and changing their clinical competency to meet South Korean standards is the best option for NKRDs to acquire a medical license. Furthermore, the study reveals that the government should eliminate the obstacles in medical license acquisition by NKRDs and support the latter in their efforts to improve and demonstrate their competency.

International medical graduates' experiences before and after migration: A meta‐ethnography of qualitative studies

“…They posited that bridging social capital (relationships across groups)—as opposed to bonding social capital (relationships within groups)—between IMGs and host country society was necessary for acculturation and upward mobility. We found that IMGs were aware of this, yet found it difficult at times 88 to form these bridging relationships and felt excluded 15,20,35,46,54,59,68,81 . We identified this isolation as part of the fourth barrier that IMGs face.…”

“…The cultural differences that IMGs faced included culture in the workplace and in society at large 15,16,20,36,39,46,54–56,58,59,65,69,72–83 . An IMG who was a native of the host country but qualified in another country did not suffer culture shock in society compared with an IMG who immigrated from another country 14,47,71,73 .…”

“…The four main barriers that IMGs faced appeared to be the differences in language, 18,36,37,40,42,46,[70][71][72] culture, 15,16,20,36,39,46,55,56,58,59,65,69,[72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83] medical education, 14,16,54,[75][76][77]80 and belonging. 15,19,20,35,46,54,55,57,59,68,72,81 It was the extent to which the IMGs' language,...…”

“…17,20,35,61,76 Some were made to feel unwelcome and were subjected to overt or subtle racism, marginalisation and/or discrimination. 15,20,35,46,54,59,68,81 They could experience institutional and systematic discrimination 15,[18][19][20]36,46,52,[55][56][57][58]66,68,81 that put them at a disadvantage when entering the profession, training programmes and progressing within these. 19,20,36,46,52,66 Levelling the playing field…”

“…IMGs reported suffering a sense of loss. 14,32,37,47,52,58,59 Having suffered financial loss, they also suffered loss of social connections and professional status. 32,37,43,56,60,61 The period from landing to resuming professional roles as doctors was a challenging one 18,19,32,[35][36][37]40,42,43,46,47,55,[57][58][59]62,63 especially when sitting licensing exams.…”