Navigating New Territories: A Systematic Review of the Transition Experiences of International Medical Graduates in English-Speaking Countries

To summarize the evidence related to the experiences and challenges of International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in healthcare systems of English-speaking countries.

Following the PRISMA statement, we searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for all peer-reviewed articles using keywords including “international medical graduates,” “foreign medical graduates,” or “transition,” from their inception to December 21st, 2022.

In this review, we included 20 articles, comprising 17 descriptive studies and three quasi-experimental studies. These studies highlight the challenges centered around communication skills and languages including the use and meaning of slang, health system differences, cultural distinctions such as varying patient expectations, and the prevalence of biases and preconceived notions about IMGs.

This systematic review summarizes the current evidence related to IMGs’ transition into healthcare systems in English-speaking countries. Despite the limited quality of available studies, several common issues were identified, including communication skills and language proficiency, cultural understanding, and system-related themes. To improve the experiences of IMGs and the quality of patient care, clinical educators, and residency program leaders may need to provide targeted needs assessments, focused orientations, and year-round programs.