Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38970082›Full record

ArticleBMC medical education2024

International medical learners and their adjustment after returning to their countries of origin: a qualitative study.

Itthipon Wongprom, Onlak Ruangsomboon, Jikai Huang, Abbas Ghavam-Rassoul

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical education, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. A Qualitative Study Exploring the Mechanisms Underlying Self-Management Behaviours Among Community-Dwelling Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Nanjing, China.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Itthipon WongpromDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Rama VI Street, Ratchtevi District, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand. itthipon.won@mahidol.edu.
Onlak RuangsomboonDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
Jikai HuangDepartment of Nursing, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, 190 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
Abbas Ghavam-RassoulSt. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health,Toronto, Canada and Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Ave, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionInternational medical trainees, including residents and fellows, must cope with many challenges, such as differences in cultural hierarchical systems, languages, and acceptance. Nonetheless, the need for adjustment perpetuates even after training is completed abroad. When some international trainees return to their countries of origin, they continue to face adjustment challenges due to reverse culture shock. Others must make many further readjustments. This study presents an exploration of the adjustment and coping strategies of international medical learners after returning to their countries of origin upon completion of their programs.

methodThis study employed a qualitative approach grounded in interpretivism and utilised inductive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's method. Semi-structured, in-depth individual interviews were employed to explore the participants' coping strategies. Participants included international medical learners who were (1) international medical graduates who had already returned to their countries of origin, (2) non-Canadian citizens or nonpermanent residents by the start of the programs, and (3) previously enrolled in a residency or fellowship training programme at the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

resultsSeventeen participants were included. Three main themes and seven subthemes were created from the analysis and are represented by the Ice Skater Landing Model. According to this model, there are three main forces in coping processes upon returning home: driving, stabilising, and situational forces. The sum and interaction of these forces impact the readjustment process.

conclusionInternational medical learners who have trained abroad and returned to their countries of origin often struggle with readjustment. An equilibrium between the driving and stabilising forces is crucial for a smooth transition. The findings of this study can help stakeholders better understand coping processes. As healthy coping processes are related to job satisfaction and retention, efforts to support and shorten repatriation adjustment are worthwhile.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PsychologicalForeign Medical GraduatesQualitative ResearchAdultFemaleHumansInternship and ResidencyInterviews as TopicMaleOntarioStudents, MedicalCoping strategiesInternational medical learnersReadjustmentRepatriationReverse culture shock

Identifiers

PMID38970082
PMCPMC11227183

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.