Physicians trained outside the United States will soon have a new opportunity to practice medicine in Massachusetts, thanks to a program designed to grant medical licenses under specific conditions. State officials are introducing this initiative to address critical shortages in medical care, particularly in primary care. The move is seen as a step toward bridging the gap between healthcare demand and available physicians.
The program allows internationally-trained doctors to practice without undergoing a traditional residency or training program. Instead, these physicians would work under a limited or restricted license, supervised within community health centers or hospitals. They would also receive mentorship for a minimum of three years. This arrangement specifically targets areas where access to primary care doctors is scarce and patients face long wait times for appointments.
According to the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, there are potentially hundreds of physicians living in the state with international medical training who could provide care for tens of thousands of patients.
“It’s a win, win,” said Saira Asjad, a former primary care doctor in Pakistan now residing in Massachusetts. “This will bridge that gap between the health care need and the physicians who are not able to practice.”
State Senator Jason Lewis, a Democrat from Middlesex and an advocate for integrating internationally-trained doctors into the Massachusetts healthcare workforce, expressed optimism about the program’s potential. “There’s a lot of evidence that these physicians who speak other languages, who understand other cultures, provide excellent care to populations that share the same background and culture,” Lewis said.
The program was incorporated into an economic development bill signed into law by Governor Maura Healey in late November. The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine will oversee the creation of operating rules for the initiative, which is expected to take about a year before the first applicants begin their work.
Michael Curry, president of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, envisions this program serving as a model for other healthcare professions, such as nursing. He anticipates significant interest from medical professionals worldwide. “We’ll be a place that people come from all over the country and even all over the globe to come here to practice,” Curry said.
Massachusetts joins a small group of states exploring ways to leverage the expertise of internationally-trained doctors to improve access to primary care. However, efforts in other states have faced challenges. For instance, Tennessee regulators hesitated to approve similar applications due to difficulties in verifying applicants’ credentials.
To address these concerns, Massachusetts plans to implement regulations requiring internationally-trained physicians to pass exams and obtain the same credentials required of U.S.-trained doctors.
This program represents a significant step in tackling the growing healthcare needs of underserved populations while providing a pathway for skilled international professionals to contribute meaningfully to the state’s healthcare system.
