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Physicians recruited from abroad face screening hurdles

Hospitalist Leadership Connection, Associated Press, August 8, 2007

Because rural areas are hard-hit by physician shortages, more hospitals in underserved areas of the U.S. are recruiting physicians from India, the Philippines, and sub-Saharan Africa. According to a July 22 Associated Press article, these physicians face numerous restrictions resulting both from the war on terror and the immigration debate.

Among the hurdles physicians from abroad are facing are expensive professional tests and background checks aimed at helping them secure work papers and permanent residency. According to the article, restrictions have only tightened since September 11, and now it's likely that the process will become even more difficult due to the recent attempted terrorist bombings in Britain that were linked to foreign doctors.

Sanjay Chaube, MD, an internist from India who works in Mississippi, is quoted in the article as saying, "The consensus seems to be that if you have a first name like Mohammed, you can forget [about working in the U.S.]"

The article cites American Medical Association estimates showing that more than 35 million Americans live in underserved areas, and that it would take 16,000 doctors to immediately fill that need.

For more details go to: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070722/ap_on_he_me/doctor_deficit;_ylt=AmJiLdAt3e9N5KBBwq41X.BZ24cA.

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