General practice doctors moving from overseas to the UK have a number of advantages. They are contributing to the NHS and have experience of working in a different culture. However, the move requires a certain amount of adaptation. This includes understanding the cultural differences and the language. A host country can assist overseas doctors with the necessary paperwork and information to help them settle in.
While it is possible for some doctors to move overseas without losing their current practice, other physicians might find it difficult to adapt to the change. Some are looking for a change of scenery. Some have decided to leave their practices and pursue entrepreneurial activities in their spare time. Ashwini Bapat, a palliative care physician, left her job at the Massachusetts General Hospital to live in Spain. Since then, she has launched two small businesses. One is EpioneMD, which provides virtual palliative care consultations and advance care planning, while the other is Hippocratic Adventures, an online community for physicians.
Many British doctors are also considering moving abroad to avoid the bureaucracy of the revalidation process in their home countries. Doctors must go through a series of checks in order to maintain their practice license. One job website offers three consultant radiologists positions in Perth, Western Australia, earning PS250,000 a year.
General practice doctors moving from overseas may find it easier to work in Canada than in the UK. Canadian doctors are more likely to advance to the top of their careers than their British counterparts. The training environment is more intense and shorter, and physicians are encouraged to select their specialty early. The pay is higher and the climate is much warmer than in the UK.
While doctors who are in between jobs in their home country can often benefit from an overseas position, there are also a number of disadvantages that may make the move more challenging. Usually, doctors will not have much control over their work schedule and must be prepared financially for the change. In addition, they may be given pre-set procedures and schedules.
If you are applying for registration as a general practice doctor in the UK, you must provide documentary evidence confirming your identity and medical qualifications. Only original documents will be accepted for a pre-registration identity check. To be registered, you must visit the GMC in person. During this visit, you will be photographed so that your picture is available to prospective employers.
The UK’s GP workforce is a diverse one, with thousands of GPs from abroad. They bring a new perspective and skill set to GP Jobs Australia the NHS. However, you must plan your move well. If you are planning to relocate to the UK, you should plan ahead. You should also consider the national requirements of the country you wish to work in.
General practice doctors in the UK often experience underappreciation. The NHS pays doctors poorly and there is little opportunity for growth. The pay is not reflective of the profession and it is not proportionate to the skill, sacrifice, or specialization.