What
is the mediwork database?
The mediwork database provides information to doctors and medical students
about working in another country. The database has been built to centralise
information and make it available to a wide audience over the internet.
What
can you find in the database?
The database contains information which helps doctors and medical students
to plan and start a career in another country. This includes information
about medical demographics, postgraduate training, working possibilities,
restrictions and regulations related to working abroad. Furthermore
practical information, hints and tips on how to develop a medical career
in another European country, information about the difficulties, common
problems and traps which can be encountered when developing a medical
career in another European country is available. On top of this contact
information of relevant institutions, organisations and information
sources is included. For now the database limits itself to information
about European Countries.
How
can you use the database?
The database is available to everyone on the internet. The data will
be presented by country. In a later stage extra functionality will be
added to search the database for specific information.
Why
was the database created?
The European Medical Students' Association (EMSA) assessed the situation
concerning free movement and settlement of physicians in Europe. It
became clear that due to the increased cooperation between European
countries and the great differences in available medical manpower in
the different European countries, the mobility of doctors is likely
to increase. Many students are already now looking for possibilities
to undergo postgraduate training in another country and more young doctors
consider the possibility of developing their medical career abroad.
An evaluation done by EMSA showed that most students who have been involved
in international activities already are interested in working abroad
as a doctor. Unfortunately it is difficult to find information on how
to work abroad. There are many information sources, but the information
provided by those sources is often incomplete and not easy for practical
use. Other sources are outdated or unreliable. A database such as the
mediwork database could improve the accessibility of information.
How
is the database created?
The database centralises information from many different sources. A
large group of volunteers collect, translate, edit and enter the data
in the database. The data collection is done in collaboration with several
partner organisations. The data is reviewed from time to time and updated.
Visitors are asked not only to use the data, but to contribute to the
database by sending comments.
Who
runs the database?
The project for the mediwork database has been developed by EMSA, the
European Medical Students' Association. The maintenance and development
is done by a group of volunteers, working with EMSA, one of the partner
organisations or contributing at an individual basis. A team of Executive
Consultants take responsibility for strategy, promotion and alliances
with partner organisations. The database is funded by EMSA, partner
organisations and sponsors.
What
is the future for this database?
The database is currently in the first stage of development. Work is
in progress to complete the set of data for all target countries. The
way the information is used by visitors will determine the future development
strategy. Technical improvements are expected to be needed to improve
the user interface. In the long term an extension of the project to
target countries outside Europe is a possibility.
©
2002 EMSA
