IMGs: Tools to support you to thrive in the NHS (RTT04MAR25)

Joining Instructions

Need help viewing PDF documents?

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) make a significant and valuable contribution to the NHS. More than a third of the NHS medical workforce have had their primary medical qualification overseas. In 2021 the total number of licensed IMGs in the medical workforce was over 77 000, with IMGs making up 34% of GP trainees.

The following is extracted from the recent document, “Welcoming and valuing international medical graduates – A guide to induction for IMGs recruited to the NHS” “41.9% of the NHS medical workforce are from an ethnic minority background. There is substantial evidence showing that ethnic minority staff are likely to experience racism and discrimination and may have poorer experience and progression opportunities, and that ‘the extent to which an organisation values its minority staff is a good barometer of how well patients are likely to feel cared for’. (https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Welcoming-and-Valuing-International-Medical-Graduates-A-guide-to-induction-for-IMGs-WEB.pdf)

This day long course aims to address the specific issues that affect IMGs. These include team and workplace integration, confidence and anxiety of working in a new/unfamiliar environment, awareness of their own communication needs, learning about differential attainment and how to access support. There will be a discussion on self-care, resilience and thriving in the workplace

The course will consist of lectures, videos, small group work and scenarios to address different learning styles. Interaction and discussion will be encouraged. The course will be facilitated by Dr Sanjay Suri, Paediatrician and ex-TPD and Dr Shubhada Suri, GP and ex-trainer. They have both been IMGs themselves and have a first-hand understanding of their training and pastoral needs as experienced educators.

• Please only book this course if you are available to attend the course and have applied for study leave in advance where required.
• Please only book onto one instance of the same course.
• If your availability changes, please cancel your place as soon as possible. If this is within one week of the course, you must email the team on england.lsfdcourses.yh@nhs.net.
• Online bookings for the course will close one week prior to the course start date. If you wish to attend after this, you must email the team and they will inform you whether this is possible.
• Where the course is a multi-session course, you must attend all sessions.
• If the course is virtual, joining instructions will be available under the documents section prior to the course. You must join the course within 30 minutes of the start time unless you have agreed differently with the course facilitator, otherwise you will not be allowed to attend the course.

This course is intended for IMG doctors in training. (IMG = International Medical Graduate.) Please only book if you meet this criteria.

Mandatory: Doctor, or Public Health Professional

The aims of the course are to raise awareness and familiarise IMGs about the issues affecting them, look after themselves, attain their full potential and access support to be fully engaged members of the healthcare team.

The objectives of the course are:

1. To address the pastoral needs of IMG trainees

2. To help IMGs enhance their communication and confidence skills

3. To enable them to understand differential attainment and barriers to progress so they can achieve their fullest potential.

To give them practical tips and signpost to available support

At the end of the day-long training programme, participants will have

1. Had an opportunity to discuss working in a new/unfamiliar environment

2. Learnt about similarities and differences with their own healthcare system.

3. Learnt about and practised skills of communication and compassion

4. Been supported in building their confidence in the workplace

5. Understood differential attainment and barriers to progress

6. Learnt about support available – coaching, peer mentoring and support

7. Had an opportunity to discuss practical tips and signposting.