Presentation of the Med-Integro project results in Slovakia | Human resources and migration in healthcare


On September 13, 2024, one of the final events of the Med-Integro project took place in Slovakia. Similar events will soon be held in the Czech Republic and Latvia, making this just one of the three events aimed at presenting the project results to government representatives, hospitals, and doctors.


In the first part, Alona Kurotova gave a presentation titled "Legal Analysis and Measures for Improving the Integration of Medical Workers in Slovakia."
The presentation covered key issues and solutions for the integration of foreign medical workers in Slovakia.

Presentation of the Concept

Main issues:


  • Medical Desert: Some regions of Slovakia suffer from a shortage of medical professionals, making them "medical deserts."
  • Migration of Specialists: A large number of Slovak medical professionals move abroad for work, exacerbating the issue of staff shortages.
The presentation demonstrated that countries like Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic are more effective in managing medical migration by creating conditions that attract healthcare workers.

Legal Aspects:


Legislative obstacles (legalization of diplomas and recognition of qualifications of foreign specialists, administrative barriers, and delays in obtaining work permits) faced by foreign specialists remain major barriers to their integration.

Proposed Solutions:
  1. Legislative Changes: Simplify the process of medical diploma legalization and accreditation for foreign specialists.
  2. Support for Foreign Specialists: Create a more supportive adaptation system so that specialists feel comfortable and can quickly integrate into the workflow.
  3. Returning Slovak Specialists from Abroad: Measures to attract Slovak medical professionals back home include improving working conditions, salaries, and career prospects.
Final Steps:
  • Implementation of Changes at the National Level: Enforce proposed legislative changes to facilitate integration.
  • Data Monitoring: Regular collection and analysis of data on the migration and integration of medical professionals compared to other EU countries.
  • Flexible Planning: Adapt to changes in the healthcare sector to respond quickly to market challenges.
These measures aim to increase the number of foreign medical professionals in Slovakia and create conditions for their successful adaptation.

Presentation:
Legal Analysis and Proposal for Government Action

Download Legal Analysis *

* the document is constantly updated and supplemented

Presentation of Activities and Results

In the second part, Marian Neradny presented on behalf of Med-Integro.

Med-Integro is an international community aimed at supporting the integration of foreign medical professionals in European Union countries. In today's world, the shortage of qualified medical personnel is becoming a critical issue for many countries. Med-Integro strives to address this deficit by attracting and adapting specialists from various parts of the world.

The main mission of Med-Integro is to facilitate the process of integration and relocation of foreign doctors and other medical professionals in EU countries. This is achieved by creating conditions for successful adaptation and providing Europe with highly qualified medical specialists. Additionally, the community aims to improve the quality of healthcare by sharing experiences between different countries and professionals.

Med-Integro Project in Slovakia

The Med-Integro project is actively working in Slovakia, with the goal of making foreign medical professionals an important and long-term part of the country's healthcare system. To achieve this goal, the project is built on four key aspects:
  1. Relocation: Supporting medical workers in moving and adapting to a new country, providing them with all the necessary conditions for a comfortable settlement.
  2. Employment: Employment: Assisting in job search and workplace integration.
  3. Community: Creating an environment where medical professionals feel part of a professional and social community, where they are valued and respected.
  4. E-learning: Providing educational programs and courses for learning/improving the Slovak language for medical professionals and preparing for professional exams.

Partners and Their Role


The Med-Integro project brings together several international partners, each of whom contributes uniquely to the implementation of the program.



Threshold Training Associates (Czech Republic): This organization provides educational courses for foreign medical professionals, with a particular focus on profession-oriented language learning necessary for passing qualification exams and working in the medical field. They also develop methodological guides for teachers and students to ensure effective learning in an online environment.

Biedriba Eurofortis (Latvia): This organization is responsible for developing the e-learning platform and creating educational programs for medical professionals relocating to Latvia. Eurofortis has extensive experience in training and upskilling specialists in the healthcare sector.

Project Achievements

The Med-Integro project has already achieved significant success in its work. Here are some key achievements:
  • 126 foreign medical professionals had their qualifications recognized with the help of the project.
  • 11 specialists completed or are in the process of completing the recognition of their narrow specialization.
  • 534 medical professionals participated in one or more language courses.
  • 41 specialists completed the full journey from language courses to employment in Slovak hospitals.
  • 62 medical professionals were accepted for temporary professional internships.
  • 158 medical workers received legal support on issues related to migration, labor relations, and medical law.

Med-Integro: Presentation of Activities and Results

Plans for 2024

In 2024, the Med-Integro project plans to expand its initiatives by offering:
  • Continued collaboration on professional training.
  • Funding through grant mechanisms for the development of e-learning programs.
  • Active promotion of an educational mobile application for iOS and Android.
  • Services for recruiting specialists worldwide and tracking their professional careers in Slovakia.

QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION

The Med-Integro project is a vivid example of how international cooperation can address one of the most pressing issues in modern healthcare – the shortage of qualified personnel. Through a clear strategy, a focus on key principles of support and integration, as well as professional training, the project provides foreign medical professionals with the opportunity to become an important part of the European healthcare system, making a valuable contribution to the health of society.

PHOTOS