Immigrant Neurologists in the United States: The Path of Most Resistance

Abhimanyu Mahajan; Zachary London; Andrew M Southerland; Jaffar Khan; Erica A Schuyler; and the Graduate Education Subcommittee and Education Committee of the American Academy of Neurology

doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000011196

Immigrant Neurologists in the United States: The Path of Most Resistance

Neurology. 2021 Feb 22;96(8):378-385. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011196.

Authors

Abhimanyu Mahajan¹, Zachary London¹, Andrew M Southerland¹, Jaffar Khan¹, Erica A Schuyler²; and the Graduate Education Subcommittee and Education Committee of the American Academy of Neurology

Affiliations

¹ From the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute (A.M.), OH; Department of Neurology (Z.L.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Departments of Neurology and Public Health Sciences (A.M.S.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA; Department of Neurology (J.K.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (E.A.S.), Hartford HealthCare Ayer Neuroscience Institute, CT.
² From the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute (A.M.), OH; Department of Neurology (Z.L.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Departments of Neurology and Public Health Sciences (A.M.S.), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA; Department of Neurology (J.K.), Emory University, Atlanta, GA; and Department of Neurology (E.A.S.), Hartford HealthCare Ayer Neuroscience Institute, CT. Erica.Schuyler@hhchealth.org.

PMID: 33199436
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011196

Abstract

International medical graduates (IMGs), individuals who graduated from medical school outside of the United States or Canada, constitute 31.3% of active neurologists and one-third of current neurology trainees. Although three-fourths of IMG neurology trainees are not US citizens, they are an integral part of our trainee and practice workforce. IMGs play a vital role in providing greater access to health care for millions of patients, particularly in traditionally underserved regions and in the face of a current global health care crisis. With this article, we outline some of the unique challenges faced by immigrant, US-trained neurologists as they seek to provide neurologic care across the country, including preparing and applying for residency, securing authorization to remain in the United States to practice, and positioning themselves for successful careers in academic and private practice. We also call for advocacy and legislation to help reduce these barriers as a means to address the increasing physician workforce gap.