Browsing by Author "Lake, Deidre"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Alternative career pathway decision-support job database for international medical graduates in Canada
    (2022-10-29) Sikdar, Saif; Chowdhury, Nashit; Lake, Deidre; Turin, Tanvir C.
    Abstract Objectives Canadian regulations have made it challenging for the international medical graduates (IMGs) to get jobs in their original profession as physicians. Consequently, alternative careers are gaining interest among IMGs to avoid underemployment or unemployment. We conducted research to identify the factors that IMGs consider for taking up an alternative career in Canada. Based on those understandings, we aimed to create a database where information about health-related alternative jobs is presented in a searchable way, which can aid IMGs’ strategic job search. Data description We first determined job searching preferences and constraints for IMGs regarding alternative career through focus groups. We used their preferred and constraining factors for collecting job-specific information through systematically reviewing job advertisements. Using this information, we created a database that contains available alternative career pathways for IMGs living in Canada. In total, we have identified 1374 job titles under 192 unique job categories comprising 47 National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes that could be suitable for IMGs seeking an alternative career based on their own short, intermediate, and long-term career goals. We expect that this database will help IMGs in deciding on alternative careers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    An exploration of COVID-19 vaccination models for newcomer refugees and immigrants in Calgary, Canada
    (2024-03-12) Aghajafari, Fariba; Wall, Laurent; Weightman, Amanda M.; Ness, Alyssa; Lake, Deidre; Anupindi, Krishna; Moorthi, Gayatri; Kuk, Bryan; Santana, Maria; Coakley, Annalee
    Abstract Background The World Health Organization stresses the need for tailored COVID-19 models of vaccination to meet the needs of diverse populations and ultimately reach high rates of vaccination. However, little evidence exists on how COVID-19 models of vaccination operated in the novel context of the pandemic, how vulnerable populations, such as refugees, experience COVID-19 vaccination systems in high-income countries, and what lessons may be learned from vaccination efforts with vulnerable populations. To address this gap, this study explored COVID-19 vaccine delivery models available to newcomer refugees and immigrants, and refugee experiences across different COVID-19 vaccine delivery models in Calgary, Canada, and surrounding area in 2021 and 2022, to understand the barriers, strengths, and strategies of models to support access to COVID-19 vaccination for newcomer refugees and immigrants. Methods Researchers conducted structured interviews with Government Assisted Refugees (n = 39), and semi-structured interviews with Privately Sponsored Refugees (n = 6), private refugee sponsors (n = 3), and stakeholders involved in vaccination systems (n = 13) in 2022. Thematic analysis was conducted to draw out themes related to barriers, strengths, and strategies of vaccine delivery models and the intersections with patient experiences. Results Newcomer refugee and immigrant focused vaccination models and strategies were explored. They demonstrated how partnerships between organizations, multi-pronged approaches, and culturally responsive services were crucial to navigate ongoing and emergent factors, such as vaccine hesitancy, mandates, and other determinants of under-vaccination. Many vaccination models presented through interviews were not specific to refugees and included immigrants, temporary residents, ethnocultural community members, and other vulnerable populations in their design. Conclusions Increasing COVID-19 vaccine uptake for newcomer refugees and immigrants, is complex and requires trust, ongoing information provision, and local partnerships to address ongoing and emerging factors. Three key policy implications were drawn. First, findings demonstrated the need for flexible funding to offer outreach, translation, cultural interpretation, and to meet the basic needs of patients prior to engaging in vaccinations. Second, the research showed that embedding culturally responsive strategies within services ensures community needs are met. Finally, collaborating with partners that reflect the diverse needs of communities is crucial for the success of any health efforts serving newcomers.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Ego identity development in physicians: a cross-cultural comparison using a mixed method approach
    (BioMed Central, 2012-05-23) Beran, Tanya; Violato, Efrem; Faremo, Sonia; Violato, Claudio; Watt, David; Lake, Deidre
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Professional integration of immigrant medical professionals through alternative career pathways: an Internet scan to synthesize the current landscape
    (2021-04-17) Turin, Tanvir C; Chowdhury, Nashit; Ekpekurede, Mark; Lake, Deidre; Lasker, Mohammad A A; O’Brien, Mary; Goopy, Suzanne
    Abstract Background There is a growing recognition that underutilization and underemployment of skilled immigrants, especially internationally trained health professionals, creates a financial burden on individuals and economic losses for the host country. Albeit a missed opportunity for both the immigrants and the receiving country, no public policy and systemic measures are in place to address this issue. Nevertheless, certain individuals and organizations have made some isolated efforts, but no synthesized knowledge is available for understanding what initiatives exist altogether and how they function. We have conducted a methodological Internet scan to identify the existing individual, private, and systemic initiatives and resources that support these health professionals. This will provide health and workforce policymakers, settlement service providers, and relevant academics with the knowledge base for potential different strategies to address this issue and guide them towards developing solution-oriented initiatives. Methods To identify those we have systematically searched the three most popular search engines (Google, Bing, and Yahoo!) adapting the Canadian Institute for Health Information’s grey literature review protocol. We identified relevant websites per our predefined inclusion criteria, charted the data from those sources, collated, summarized, and reported the results. Results From 280 webpages initially identified through keyword search, we included 26 in our full-page screen and extracted data from 16 finally selected webpages. We have found webpages with information on different alternative careers namely, regulated and non-regulated, available resources to pursue those careers, and what skills they have that can be transferred to the alternative careers. Conclusion More systemic policies and IMG specific and ACP-focused employment support programmes are required. Research and development of programmes for facilitating IMGs’ alternative career support need to be increased and strengthened.