In Belgium, the hunt for foreign healthcare professionals is becoming a real business. In order to try to cope with staff shortages in the health sector, in fact, many recruitment agencies have begun to recruit doctors and nurses from abroad. The key countries where medical personnel have been recruited are Poland and Romania in Europe, as well as the Philippines and Lebanon. A phenomenon which is rising, although it still remains relatively low, especially compared with countries such as the UK. To be noted, however, that what is seen as the cure, may be, on the contrary, a false solution. The main problems posed by the arrival of these new workers on the Belgian labour market are those relating to linguistic and cultural differences, the different job function content, homesickness and, above all, the recognition of academic qualifications. According to the latest available data, only 5% of foreign doctors and 1% of foreign nurses on the total of those employed in the hospitals of Belgium, arrived in this country already with a degree in hand.
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