Recognising forcibly displaced doctor qualifications in Europe: a comparative policy and process analysis

Aaron Drovandi; Aisha Awan; Bleunwenn Delacommune; Emilie Trannoy; Giorgio Cometto; Mark Bulbulian; Maddy McLean; Eva Stortelder; Irinda Riquelme; Joyce Browne

doi:10.1590/SciELOPreprints.15718

article.authors6a81be62eb090

Aaron Drovandi University of Manchester https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8682-1218
- Formal Analysis
- Methodology
- Validation
- Visualization
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Aisha Awan University of Manchester https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4359-672X
- Conceptualization
- Formal Analysis
- Writing – Review & Editing
Bleunwenn Delacommune Jesuit Refugee Service France https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5900-045X
- Data Curation
- Formal Analysis
- Writing – Review & Editing
Emilie Trannoy Jesuit Refugee Service France https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0978-6256
- Data Curation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Giorgio Cometto World Health Organization https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3725-6192
- Conceptualization
- Writing – Review & Editing
Mark Bulbulian Jesuit Refugee Service France https://orcid.org/0009-0008-8350-8550
- Data Curation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Maddy McLean Columbia University https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5162-1863
- Data Curation
- Formal Analysis
- Writing – Review & Editing
Eva Stortelder University Medical Center Utrecht https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7849-2759
- Conceptualization
- Formal Analysis
- Methodology
- Writing – Review & Editing
Irinda Riquelme Jesuit Refugee Service France https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6081-1801
- Conceptualization
- Data Curation
- Formal Analysis
- Funding Acquisition
- Methodology
- Project Administration
- Resources
- Writing – Original Draft Preparation
- Writing – Review & Editing
Joyce Browne University Medical Center Utrecht https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7048-3245
- Conceptualization
- Formal Analysis
- Methodology
- Writing – Review & Editing

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/SciELOPreprints.15718

Palavras-chave:

refugees

Resumo

Introduction: Forcibly displaced doctors represent a substantial yet underutilised resource within European healthcare systems, with their professional integration into host country systems hindered by systemic barriers, particularly qualification recognition. This study examines national policies and processes governing qualification recognition for displaced doctors across Europe.

Methods: This comparative desk review study analysed policies and processes for recognition of medical qualifications in 13 European countries. Data were coded and synthesised across four dimensions: regulatory and public policy frameworks; educational access and training pathways; access to employment prior to full authorisation; and strategic governance and coordination. Emphasis was placed on accessibility, proportionality, and relevance to displaced doctors.

Results: Recognition pathways differ markedly, reflecting legal framework variations and unequal institutional capacities. Evidentiary burden placed on displaced doctors, coupled with unclear processes and timelines and unequal access to educational opportunities were the most significant barriers. Lacking stakeholder coordination within countries contributed to and exacerbated these issues. Innovative practices included tailored bridging programs, partial recognition models, and personalized coaching and facilitated documentation procedures.

Conclusion : Shortcomings in systems determining qualification recognition contribute to prolonged unemployment, deskilling, and loss of professional identity for displaced doctors. Coherent, rights-based policies are needed to develop recognition frameworks, improve access to preparatory medical and linguistic education, and professional placements. Such mechanisms would enable the equitable incorporation of refugee expertise, prevent deskilling and contribute to sustainable, ethically sound, health-workforce development and employment across Europe.

Funding : This study received funding through the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), France.