• Geoff Couser.
• Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. geoffrey.couser@dhhs.tas.gov.au
• Med Teach. 2007 Jun 1;29(5):427-30.

BackgroundInternational Medical Graduates (IMGs) are a diverse group of doctors who provide essential health services in many western countries, and hospitals are increasingly relying upon IMGs to fill vacancies in all staff grades. Clinical skills and experience vary greatly between doctors, and orientation and clinical skills training is a way of addressing any identified deficiencies.Work DoneThis paper relates the experiences of establishing a training program and support services for IMGs working in the public hospital system in Tasmania, Australia, and offers advice for other agencies contemplating establishing similar programs.ConclusionsA 'hub and spoke' model is a useful model to adopt: a central coordinating office designs and implements programs informed by best available evidence, and clinical educators on site at healthcare facilities implement programs and provide direct assistance and orientation. Broad-based programs attending to orientation, doctor's families' needs, communication skills and clinical skills training are required. Support from health administrators is essential.

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