In 2004, Paragona offered to recruit and train highly skilled Polish medical specialists for permanent placements in North Jutland.

As a result of Poland’s accession to the EU, Polish doctors in most specialisations now had the right to practise in their field in any EU state, including Denmark.

However, notwithstanding mutual recognition of professional qualifications there were still barriers: the Danish language, different routines and institutional framework as well as cultural issues.

To overcome these barriers, all doctors had to successfully complete Paragona’s campus training in Warsaw.

Our team of outstanding teachers brought all doctors to fluency in medical Danish. After nearly seven months on one of Paragona’s campuses (referred to as “mini-Denmark”) the doctors had attained sufficient language skills to be able to operate effectively as doctors in North Jutland.

Together with representatives of North Jutland, Paragona’s Educational Team developed tailor-made teaching modules to address the inevitable differences in daily work for a specialist in Poland and Denmark, including patient communication, medical law and social medicine.

The cultural aspects were addressed through guest lecturers, family visits to Denmark and a carefully planned induction programme once the doctors arrived in Denmark.

THE RESULT

With a few exceptions, well over 20 Paragona recruited and trained doctors with families live today in North Jutland, Denmark. Patients that previously were sent to other counties or were put on waiting lists can now be given prompt treatment in the region. Needless to say, most patients are grateful and satisfied with the Paragona doctors. The doctors’ colleagues particularly stress their clinical competence.

And the doctors? Naturally, as this is about people, some families have integrated better than others. But overall, the feedback has been exceptionally positive.

”We are very satisfied with the result and will continue with recruiting and training more doctors with Paragona", says Dr Carsten Larsen, Project Manger, County of North Jutland, Denmark.