Articles
| Open Access | The impact of brain waste on afghan and Arab refugee medical graduates: a scoping review
Ahsan Ali , Kardan University, Kabul, AfghanistanAbstract
The integration of refugee populations into host countries presents challenges, particularly in the context of professional qualifications and employment. One such issue is the phenomenon of "brain waste," where internationally trained professionals, such as medical graduates, are underemployed or employed in jobs that do not align with their qualifications. This scoping review examines the prevalence, causes, and consequences of brain waste among Afghan and Arab refugee medical graduates. By analyzing existing literature, we seek to understand the barriers these individuals face in pursuing their careers in medicine, the impact on their mental health, and the implications for host countries’ healthcare systems. The findings indicate that despite high levels of education and training, refugee medical graduates experience significant obstacles in having their credentials recognized, leading to underemployment, professional stagnation, and a loss of human capital. Further research is needed to explore solutions and policy changes to mitigate brain waste.
Keywords
Afghan refugees, Arab refugees, international medical graduates
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