Table 1
Explanation of used terminology.
| TERMINOLOGY USED | DEFINITIONS |
|---|---|
| Foreign healthcare graduates | Healthcare professionals trained abroad. Term used by the organization ‘CIBG’ of the Dutch ministry of health, involved in healthcare provider registration in the Netherlands* |
| Refugees | Persons unable to return to their country of origin, because of persecution to their race, religion, nationality or political opinion, falling under the refugee convention of the United Nations [1], which includes the core principle of non-refoulement |
| Asylum seekers | Refugees applying for protection in a specific country |
| Status holders | Asylum seekers who have been officially recognized with a residence permit of 5 years |
| Labor migrants | Persons that voluntarily choose to come to a certain country i.e. to work, for education, or marriage |
| Newcomers | Persons that have recently arrived in a country as migrants or asylum seekers. For this innovation the term Newcomers is referring to status holders only |
[i] *CIBG Centraal Informatiepunt Beroepen Gezondheidszorg, Central Information point Healthcare Professions, responsible for BIG-registration. BIG: Beroepen Individuele Gezondheidszorg, Professions in individual healthcare registration.
Figure 1
The eight steps of Design-Based Research in Medical Education, applied to Newcomers Bridging Curriculum Design.
Figure 2
Overview of stakeholder organizations for newcomers’ support in the city of Utrecht, Utrecht region, the Netherlands and the EU. Legend of used abbreviations (for more detailed glossary, see appendix A): EU: European Union; OECD: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; REACHE: Refugee and Asylum Seekers Centre for Healthcare Professionals Education; IND: Immigratie en Naturalisatie Dienst Immigration and Naturalization Service; Min VWS (BIG): Ministry of Health, Beroepen Individuele Gezondheidszorg Professions in individual healthcare registration; Min SZW: Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment; Min OCW (DUO): Ministry of Education, Culture and Scientific Research, Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs Executive organization for educational regulations; UAF: University Asylum Fund; SER: Sociaal Economische Raad, Social and Economic Council; HAN: Hogeschool Arnhem en Nijmegen Higher School of Arnhem and Nijmegen; KIS: Kennisplatform Inclusief Samenleven Platform Inclusion and Community; COA: Centraal Orgaan Opvang Asielzoekers Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers; IDW: Internationale Diploma Waardering International Qualification Acknowledgement; CMH: Central Military Hospital; UMCU: University Medical Center Utrecht; UGlobe: Utrecht University Center for Global Challenges; EBU: Economic Board Utrecht.
Figure 3
Overview of UMCU Newcomers Module for Introduction in Dutch Healthcare.
Legend: MBO3: Tertiary vocational education level 3; Language level B1: Intermediate language user according to Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, ranging from A1 to C2, B2 being upper intermediate level; BIG: ‘Beroepen Individuele Gezondheidszorg’, Professions in Individual Healthcare qualification recognition.
Content of the Newcomers Module for Introduction in Dutch Healthcare:
-Intercultural communication and feedback
-Dutch medical language up to B2 level
-Dutch habits and culture in healthcare
-Introduction in Dutch healthcare practice
-Introduction in healthcare service provision, reimbursement and insurance
-Personal guidance, reflection and group intervision
-Practical support (resume, network, employment).