Challenges in Job Seeking and the Integration of Ukrainian War Refugee Healthcare Workers Into the Polish Healthcare System: Facebook Content Analysis

Joanna Gotlib; Ilona Cieślak; Dominik Wawrzuta; Mariusz Jaworski; Dimitris Theofanidis; Grażyna Wójcik; Piotr Małkowski; Mariusz Panczyk

doi:10.3389/ijph.2023.1606139

Challenges in Job Seeking and the Integration of Ukrainian War Refugee Healthcare Workers Into the Polish Healthcare System: Facebook Content Analysis

Int J Public Health. 2023 Sep 5:68:1606139. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2023.1606139. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Joanna Gotlib¹, Ilona Cieślak¹, Dominik Wawrzuta¹, Mariusz Jaworski¹, Dimitris Theofanidis², Grażyna Wójcik³, Piotr Małkowski⁴, Mariusz Panczyk¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Education and Research in Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
² Department of Nursing, International Hellenic University, Thermi, Greece.
³ Polish Nurses Association, Warsaw, Poland.
⁴ Department of Surgical, Transplant Nursing and Extracorporeal Treatment, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.

Abstract

Objectives: The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in a refugee crisis. The terms of employment of Ukrainian Refugee background Medical Professionals (UKR-MPs) in the Polish healthcare system were liberalised. The aim of the study was to identify challenges in job seeking and the integration of Ukrainian war refugee healthcare workers into the Polish healthcare system. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study based on content thematic analysis of Facebook content. We analyzed 1,700 posts published on two public Facebook groups intended for UKR-MPs. Results: The most common problems encountered by UKR-MPs were: 1) lack of easy-to-understand information about the list of documents necessary to apply for a work permit, 2) lack of feedback from those responsible for handling individual cases, and 3) long waiting time for the decision issued by the Ministry of Health. Conclusion: Despite the promptly implemented solutions enabling access to the job market by UKR-MPs, the refugees have encountered considerable administrative difficulties, as well as those arising from insufficient knowledge of the regulations on working as medical professionals in Poland under the EU law.

Keywords: Ukraine; barriers; refugee medical professionals; shortage; social media content.

MeSH terms

Employment
Health Personnel
Humans
Poland
Refugees*
Social Media*

Grants and funding

Research funded by the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) as part of an Intervention Grant: “Successful work and socio-cultural adaptation of Ukrainian refugee nurses as both a challenge and a chance for the Polish healthcare system. Strategic analysis of key barriers and long-term policy.” BPN/GIN/2022/1/00068/U/00001.