Immigrant Physicians: Former Soviet Doctors in Israel, Canada, and the United States

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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.

Reviews

"This careful and detailed study of Soviet physician emigres in Israel, Canada and the USA sheds remarkable light on the multiple factors, personal and governmental, involved. Through combining individual stories with sociological analysis the authors have made a unique contribution to cross cultural comparisons in a key area relating to health manpower. The concluding chapter is a gem--a goldmine of useful information presented clearly and succinctly."-Myron E. Wegman, M.D., MPH Dean Emeritus, School of Public Health, University of Michigan
"This study is a signal (and unique) contribution to our understanding of the nature and process of migration by professionals (physicians) from one country, the Former Soviet Union to three 'host' nations: Israel, Canada, and the United States....The sociology of occupations, more precisely the sociology of the professions will be enriched by the insights contained in this study."-Mark G. Field Associate in the Davis Center for Russian Studies and Adjunct Professor, School of Public Health, Harvard University

Author Bio

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.