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José RamóN. Fernández-Peña, MD, MPA and Brenda Storey, MSW, LCSW. Department of Health Education, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave. HSS-301, San Francisco, CA 94132-4162, 415-405-0488, jrfp@sfsu.edu
Strategies for providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services to immigrant and migrating populations are being explored worldwide. Educators and clinicians in the developed and developing world alike are confronted with the complex issues presented by these populations. In California, ethnic and racial minorities make over 50% of the population. However, this diversity is severely under represented in California’s health workforce. For example, although Latinos make up 31% of California’s population, they make only 4% of nurses and 4% of physicians.
Welcome Back, a program focusing on integrating internationally trained health professionals into the US health workforce, is designed to improve parity between the health workforce and underserved communities of color in California.
The project has developed a methodology to locate, assess, and offer counseling and training to immigrant health professionals, who were trained in health in their countries of origin and who are either un-employed or under employed in the health sector in California. This model takes into account the relationship between the individuals and their environments and the values of social justice, human rights and developing human potential.
At the SF Welcome Back Center, over 1,300 foreign trained health professionals have contacted the center since its inception. 57 participants have obtained licenses, 7 have graduated from alternative programs, 63 are enrolled in alternative programs, 78 have passed licensure exams, and 80 are newly employed in the health sector.
This paper will discuss effective strategies for working with immigrant health providers and their applicability to programs in other states.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to
Keywords: Cultural Competency, Immigrants
Related Web page: www.w-welcomeback.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.