Immigrant Physicians

Shuval and Bernstein examine the occupational integration of immigrant physicians from the former Soviet Union to Israel, Canada, and the United States. An analysis of general immigration policy and the licensing and employment of immigrant physicians in each of the host countries provides the background for a comparative analysis of the migration experience as expressed in life-history narratives. The findings provide sociological insights, hypotheses, and generalizations that are meaningful beyond these settings. This is an important research tool for scholars and students in medical sociology, immigration studies, and Eastern European studies. Shuval and Bernstein examine the occupational integration of immigrant physicians from the former Soviet Union to Israel, Canada, and the United States. It is this combination of the commonality and uniqueness of the contexts studied that makes possible a comparative analysis that sheds light on the dynamic structuring of professions in contemporary industrialized societies. Shuval, Bernstein and their contributors first focus on the common motives, values, and problems of immigrants in post-industrial societies. After examining the historical and structural background of their medical training and practice, they look at the reasons for emigrating and the immigration policy and licensing approaches in each of the three host countries. Throughout, life-history narratives personalize the experience. They conclude by drawing together the findings in the three settings. An important research tool for scholars and students in medical sociology, immigration studies, and Eastern European studies.

JUDITH T. SHUVAL is Louis and Pearl Rose Professor of Medical Sociology and Director of the Programme in the Sociology of Health at the School of Public Health, Hebrew University of Jerusalem. JUDITH H. BERNSTEIN is Lecturer in Medical Sociology in the Department of the Sociology of Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.