ByadminWork for doctors from Ukraine in Poland – is it possible without knowing the language?
According to the General Chamber of Physicians (GCP), as of March 2, 2022, 853 applications were submitted to the regional chambers of doctors from specialists from outside the European Union who would like to work in Poland. 618 out of all applications have been approved, the rest are under consideration. This means that the Polish healthcare system will be replenished with doctors from Ukraine, but will they be able to work without knowing Polish?
According to the new special law on the legalization of the stay of Ukrainian citizens in Poland, a refugee doctor from Ukraine is not required to declare knowledge of the Polish language. This point is controversial. Doctors are sure that without knowing the language, a doctor from Ukraine will have difficulties not only in communicating with patients and colleagues but also in maintaining medical records and writing electronic prescriptions and electronic appointments.
Is it possible to work as a doctor in Poland without knowing the language?
Prof. Andrzej Matyja, head of the Supreme Medical Council, is sure that doctors from Ukraine who will work in Poland should know the Polish language because this will ensure the safety of them and their patients.
“The current situation in Ukraine and Poland may justify the introduction of a new type of medical license that will give the right to treat Ukrainian patients, but if we are talking about a full license to practice medicine in Poland, then only those doctors who speak Polish and have confirmed their diploma will be able to obtain it. Simplifying access to the labor market for refugee doctors from Ukraine, we must not forget about the need to ensure the safety of Polish patients.” – the head of the Supreme Medical Council emphasized.
According to Andrzej Matyja, doctors from Ukraine who want to get the full right to professional practice in Poland should be supported, for example, by funding Polish language courses, preparing for diploma recognition exams, etc.
“When helping doctors from Ukraine, we must remember that the training regulations in the EU countries are completely different – the title of a specialist, which in Ukraine can be obtained in 1.5 – 2 years, in Poland is issued after 5-6 years of residency and a specialized exam.” – the head of the Supreme Medical Council noted.
In addition, the Polish medical community believes that it is necessary to develop solutions that will allow Ukrainian doctors to adapt to the healthcare system, and provide assistance to Ukrainian patients to a limited extent.
“It is impossible to treat Polish patients without knowing the Polish language. In the long term, its knowledge is a necessary condition for the recognition of a diploma.” – Przemysław Ciupka, press secretary of the Wielkopolska Medical Chamber says.
A few days ago, Adam Nedzielski, Polish Minister of Health, reminded us that Poland has simplified rules for granting a limited right to practice for doctors from outside the EU.
“During the year, 1,100 doctors took advantage of this opportunity, 600 of them are from Ukraine. At the moment, we have several options for simplified employment of doctors from Ukraine. Regardless, we have decided to take it one step further. All doctors from Ukraine will have the opportunity to find a job under a simplified procedure in Polish hospitals. Moreover, we will not limit Ukrainian doctors to departments that treat patients with COVID-19.” – the Minister of Health says.
Thus, in the near future, we should expect special decisions for Ukrainian doctors who were forced to leave Ukraine because of the war and would like to get a job in Poland. It is possible that at first until doctors from Ukraine learn the Polish language, they will receive a limited right to assist only refugees. After learning the Polish language, Ukrainian doctors will be able to look for work in Polish hospitals and get a job under the simplified procedure.
We would like to remind you that the simplified procedure does not provide for confirmation of a diploma, but it is necessary to know the Polish language at the level of communication and medical documentation. All documentation in Poland is kept in electronic format. An employment contract with a doctor who is employed under the simplified procedure is signed for a maximum of 5 years without the possibility of extension. It is allowed to work only in the institution that has issued an employment guarantee certificate for the Minister of Health.
