Program for Education in Global and Population Health

Harlem Resident International Medical Graduate Experience of Sharing Serious News: A Qualitative Assessment

Name: Natalia Forbath
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2024
Mentor: Tanya Murtha, MD


 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Tucker

Name: Lauren Tucker
School: Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Class of 2024
Mentor: Tanya Murtha, MD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Abstract

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) make up a substantial portion of physicians living and working in the United States. However, little to no work has been done investigating the challenges and strategies IMGs employ when sharing serious news with patients and families. This study aims to understand the challenges and strategies for communication that IMGs experience when sharing serious news, with the goal of developing educational materials. All participants were IMGs and recruited from Harlem Hospital. They participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Using the constant comparative method of grounded theory, interviews were then transcribed and coded using Dedoose software. Six interviews were completed with five residents from the pediatrics department. Thirty codes were used that fit into six categories and two general themes, which were IMGs are still physician trainees and the unique challenges of diverse IMGs. The respondents discussed that delivering serious news is challenging for all physicians and the communication strategies that people develop can be universal. They also highlighted the diversity of experiences and backgrounds that exist between IMGs while acknowledging the unique challenges many IMGs face due to cultural and language differences, especially for non-native English speakers. Delivering serious news to patients and families is a challenging experience for all physician trainees, but IMGs face unique challenges and could benefit from increased training opportunities both prior to and during residency. The ideas that the respondents provided in their interviews for how to improve communication training can be used to develop a formal curriculum for IMGs.