Objectives: In Germany, rehabilitative healthcare institutions increasingly rely on migrant physicians to meet their staffing needs. Yet until now, research on the integration of migrant physicians has focussed entirely on the acute care setting. This study is the first to address the specific advantages and challenges to integration in the field of rehabilitative medicine where a high number of migrant physicians work. From the experiences of migrant physicians and their colleagues, we provide actionable suggestions to counteract potential sources of conflict and thereby improve the integration of migrant physicians in the German workforce. Study design: We conducted a qualitative interview study. Methods: We conducted 23 interviews with a total of 26 participants occupying a variety of roles in two different rehabilitation centres (maximum variation sampling). Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and parsed through thematic analysis. Results: Our research revealed advantages and challenges to integration in three distinct areas: rehabilitative care institutions, competencies of migrant professionals and interpersonal relations. The first set of issues hinges on the work processes within rehabilitative hospitals, professional prospects there and the location of the institutions themselves. Second, migrant physicians may encounter difficulties because of limited linguistic skills and country-specific knowledge. And finally, aspects of their interactions with care teams and patients may constitute barriers to integration. Conclusions: Some of the factors influencing the integration of migrant physicians are the same in both rehabilitative and acute medicine, but the rehabilitative setting presents distinct advantages and challenges that are worthy of study in their own right. We outline several measures which could help overcome challenges to the integration of migrant physicians, including those associated with professional relationships. Further research is needed to develop concrete support programmes. © 2018 The Royal Society for Public Health

Migrant physicians Foreign-trained physicians rehabilitation Germany Professional integration International medical graduates Rehabilitative care

Germany Foreign Professional Personnel human risk assessment middle aged statistics and numerical data controlled study Clinical Competence Physicians communication skill Rehabilitation Centers rehabilitation center qualitative research human relation interview foreign worker migrant worker Humans migrant male female rehabilitation medicine professional knowledge qualitative analysis integrated approach Article organization and management health care integration adult migration physician Transients and Migrants interdisciplinary communication