UNABLE TO HEAL: PHYSICIANS FROM AFGHANISTAN ATTEMPT TO REENTER THE UNITED STATES MEDICAL FIELD

Abstract

This thesis is a pilot analysis of five Afghan physicians who recently evacuated Afghanistan and are hoping to reenter the medical field in the United States. To this investigator’s knowledge, there has not been a study focusing on physicians who were part of the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan. Through participant interviews, this thesis aims to illuminate the opportunities and challenges facing these physicians. Additionally, a board member of the Afghan Medical Professionals Association of America was interviewed to better understand the resources provided to newly arrived Afghan physicians. We found that socioeconomic status, lack of social support and guidance, United States Medical Licensing Exams, and limited English proficiency were barriers to reentering the medical field for these physicians. Policy recommendations include allotting residency spots for forcibly displaced physicians and enabling opportunities for physicians to work in other positions in the medical field.