Bridging the Gap:IMG's Steps to Success

By Haran Aaka

Step into the captivating world of international medical graduates (IMGs) as we embark on a personal journey to find our footing in a foreign healthcare system. In this book, I share my own experience on this path.

Leaving behind the familiarity of our homelands, we face unique challenges in adapting to a new medical environment. Together, we navigate cultural differences and bridge communication gaps.

Through heartfelt stories of perseverance, you'll witness moments of triumph that make the difficult journey worthwhile. This book is not just about my personal adventure; it's a celebration of diversity and a testament to the invaluable contributions IMGs make to healthcare worldwide.

Join me as we discover the resilience of the human spirit, the power of compassion, and the unbreakable bonds formed in pursuit of a shared dream. Whether you're an IMG, a healthcare professional, or simply curious about the human experience, this book will deepen your understanding of the strength that comes from bridging gaps and the profound impact it has on shaping a brighter future for healthcare.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9781447519553

Book preview

Bridging the Gap:

IMG's Steps to Success

Tips for international medical graduate's and their supervisors on joining the UK healthcare system

Haran Aaka

 Bridging the Gap:IMG's Steps to Success

Copyright © 2023 Haran Aaka. 

All rights reserved.

 Published by Haran Aaka 

 ISBN 978-1-4475-1955-3

  Dedicated to my late Mum who supported me throughout my journey 

Chapter 1: The Beginnings

 Imagine a young, fresh graduate from Nigeria with no expectations as I embarked on my journey to the UK. I didn't know any doctors from my region who had come to practice in the UK, so I was stepping into the unknown. But fate had a different plan for me. During a visit to a family friend, she mentioned knowing a girl from Kano who was training to be an obstetrics and gynaecology consultant in the UK. It was through this connection that I learned about the PLAB exams and got my hands on some reading materials.

Back then, travelling abroad as a doctor was a rarity, and information wasn't as easily accessible as it is today. The internet was just starting to make its way into society, and there were fewer resources available. Determined to pursue my dream, I joined other IMG doctors at St. Thomas's Hospital, where we would gather from 9 am to 9 pm, studying tirelessly for the PLAB exams. The stress was palpable because my stay in the UK depended on passing both PLAB 1 and 2 before my six-month visiting visa expired. It was a race against time, and failure was not an option.

One hurdle after another awaited me on this challenging journey. Passing the exams was just the first step; the next was finding a clinical attachment. With no connections and armed only with determination, I decided to check out the closest hospital near my sister's house in London. I walked into the paediatric department and approached a friendly secretary, who became my first ally in this foreign land.

I explained to her that I needed to do a clinical attachment and asked if she could direct me to the best person to speak to. She pondered for a moment, initially suggesting I see the head of the department. But something in her gut told her otherwise, and she said, No, I think Dr Jefferies will be the best person. She wasted no time in calling him from the ward, and before I knew it, he appeared before me, ready to lend a helping hand.

Dr Jefferies, with compassion shining in his eyes, listened attentively as I poured out my story. He didn't hesitate for a second; instead, he asked, When do you want to start? This encounter marked my first taste of how an IMG needs a supportive senior to help them navigate the challenges that lie ahead. There was something about Dr Jefferies that the secretary saw, something that set him apart from the other consultants. Her intuition guided her to connect me with the person who would become my mentor, guiding me through the complexities of the NHS and the UK healthcare system.

Little did I know that this encounter would shape the trajectory of my career. The hospital where I did my clinical attachment became the launching pad for my first SHO (Senior House Officer) job, and Dr Jefferies became my first educational supervisor. From that point forward, I would begin my transition journey into UK clinical practice and the NHS.

But what exactly is an IMG? International Medical Graduates, or IMGs, are physicians who obtained their medical qualifications outside the country where they are practising. In the UK in recent times, there has been a significant increase in the number of IMGs, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. These doctors bring with them diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences that enrich the cultural competency of healthcare teams. Their contributions are invaluable to the UK healthcare system. They also fill much needed gaps in rotas and clinical departments across the NHS.

Migration Patterns and Trends:

According to the General Medical Council (GMC), there has been a change in the UK medical workforce, with a 40% increase in the number of IMGs over the last five years, compared to a 10% increase in UK graduates. IMGs, including doctors from minority ethnic groups, play an essential role in the growing healthcare sector. Although an expansion of medical school places in the UK will lead to more UK graduates entering the workforce, there is also a continuing exodus of trained doctors from the service. In addition the change in demographics will mean that demand will likely outstrip supply and we will increasingly rely on new IMGs joining the workforce.

Previously, doctors from India and Pakistan comprised the majority of IMGs in the UK. However there has been a notable increase in the number of IMGs from Nigeria and other African countries,