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Overcoming obstacles along the pathway to integration for Syrian healthcare professionals in Germany
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Journal Article
Overcoming obstacles along the pathway to integration for Syrian healthcare professionals in Germany
2019
Overview
Germany was the favoured destination for many refugees due to its welcoming policies for integration, which include liberal asylum laws, healthcare and educational advantages and pre-existing familial links.2 As of December 2018, there are nearly 700 000 Syrians living in Germany, a large increase from 2016 due to positive decisions on asylum claims as well as resettlements.3 A significant number who sought asylum in Germany hold professional qualifications and university degrees, including medical doctors, dentists and other healthcare workers.4 Although there are no official numbers, the German Medical Association states that the largest influx of foreign doctors in the past year are from Syria, with nearly 737 Syrian physicians entering the German workforce in 2017.5 They also estimate that there are more than 3370 Syrian doctors working in Germany, including those who arrived before the onset of the Syrian conflict.4 However, this likely underestimates the true number as it omits those who have German citizenship or are completing their registration. Historical precedents whereby refugee healthcare workers have been integrated into host countries exist.8 After the Second World War, the UK welcomed refugee healthcare workers into the National Health Service; similarly, in the 1950s, Egypt permitted Palestinian refugee healthcare workers to practise.8 More recently, Sweden launched Snabbsparet, a fast-track initiative to help new immigrants have their licenses accredited for the health sector following negotiations between associations and trade unions.9 Some governments have been under political pressure from their medical associations to prevent Syrian healthcare workers from integrating into the workforce (Jordan, Lebanon),10 whereas others such as Turkey have opted for the retraining of doctors and limiting their practice to working in Migrant Health Centres.11 Though Germany is among the most advanced countries in Europe in their support of integrating refugee doctors into their workforce, the process remains challenging, particularly for refugees from non-European Union (EU) countries. For many, outstretched waiting periods and bureaucratic procedures can take a toll on their mental health despite some support being available.15The table 1 explores the challenges faced by Syrian healthcare workers in Germany in more depth. Mental health of healthcare workers Many of the Syrian healthcare workers practised during the war seeing trauma patients; many would have lost family members, been imprisoned or been threatened by various groups.
