Background

A rural 125-bed hospital in New Zealand faced a critical shortage of paediatricians, significantly impacting the health and well-being of children in the region. The hospital serves a catchment area with a large Māori population, where access to quality paediatric care is vital, but often scarce. The role required an experienced consultant paediatrician capable of handling diverse demands, including clinical paediatrics, neonatology, child psychology and psychiatry, rural outreach clinics, on-call duties, and supervising and training resident medical officers. With tertiary support some distance away, the paediatrician needed competence in managing all types of emergencies.

The hospital partnered with Odyssey Recruitment to find a candidate with the skills, resilience, and cultural sensitivity necessary to excel in this challenging but rewarding environment.

The Challenge

• Complex Job Requirements: The role required a versatile paediatrician proficient in both general paediatrics and child mental health, with the ability to lead a busy department while mentoring junior staff.
• Location Barrier: Recruiting for rural areas posed challenges in attracting candidates willing to relocate and integrate into a smaller community with its more limited resources and accommodation.
• Cultural Sensitivity: The hospital sought a candidate who could work effectively with the local Māori population and address unique health disparities in the region.

The Solution

A targeted search identified a highly skilled paediatrician from Germany with extensive experience in both clinical paediatrics and neonatology. The candidate had a proven track record of clinical excellence, a strong commitment to holistic care, and a passion for teaching and mentorship.

The Recruitment Process

1 Candidate Selection:

• The German paediatrician’s broad expertise, coupled with her previous experience in rural settings, made her an ideal fit for the role.
• Her interest in cultural competency training and understanding indigenous health needs further strengthened her candidacy.

2 Credentialing and Registration:

• The recruitment agency supported the candidate through the Medical Council of New Zealand’s (MCNZ) registration process for provisional vocational registration, ensuring a seamless transition to practicing in New Zealand.

3 Relocation Support:

• Comprehensive assistance was provided, including visa applications, travel arrangements, housing arrangements, car rental and cultural orientation to help the candidate and her family settle in the rural community.

4 Onboarding and Integration:

• The hospital facilitated a structured onboarding program, including mentorship by local healthcare leaders and cultural competency workshops focused on Māori health.

The Outcome

The paediatrician proved to be an exceptional addition to the hospital team, delivering transformative outcomes for the community:

• Improved Child Health Services: Her expertise enabled the hospital to offer comprehensive paediatric health services, in both hospital and community, reducing long standing gaps in care.
• Leadership and Mentorship: As a department leader, she fostered a collaborative environment, providing guidance and training to resident medical officers and enhancing team morale.
• Community Impact: By participating in rural outreach clinics, she brought essential care to remote areas, building trust and improving health outcomes for the Māori population.
• Cultural Integration: Her dedication to understanding local customs and health challenges earned her respect from both patients and colleagues, strengthening the hospital’s relationship with the community.

Key Takeaways

This case highlights the power of international recruitment in addressing healthcare shortages in rural regions which are shunned by local doctors. By recruiting a skilled paediatrician from Germany, the hospital not only filled a critical vacancy but also significantly enhanced its capacity to provide much needed high quality medical care to children in the region.

The success of this recruitment underscores the importance of matching clinical expertise with cultural adaptability, as well as providing robust support for relocation and integration. For the rural hospital, this placement was a milestone in delivering equitable and holistic care, ensuring that even the most remote communities benefit from expert paediatric services.