Minn. task force: IMGs could boost care

Immigrant physicians are an underused resource that could provide primary care where it’s needed most, according to a recent report from the Minnesota Task Force on Foreign-Trained Physicians. The task force called for Minnesota to become a national leader in addressing barriers that prevent hundreds of experienced international medical graduates (IMGs) from practicing.

Key recommendations include creating a statewide council on immigrant physicians; encouraging residency programs to look beyond the date of medical school graduation; creating a Minnesota assessment of the clinical readiness of immigrant physicians; creating dedicated residency positions and apprenticeships in rural and underserved areas, and developing new licensure options for immigrant physicians.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health