One in four new doctors in Belgium has foreign diploma

Of the 1,715 doctors who were recognised by the federal government last year, 388 have a foreign diploma, meaning almost a quarter of new Belgian doctors has studied abroad. The figures come from the medical insurance agency Riziv, reported in De Tijd.

There are no statistics on the nationality of new doctors, but statistics about 2012 from the public health ministry indicate that of all active doctors, 85% were Belgian; 13% came from another European country, with the largest numbers from France (3.3%) and the Netherlands (3.2%). Doctors from another EU member state can work in Belgium if they speak one of the three official languages.

More than a quarter (27%) of new GPs have studied abroad, as have 19% of specialists. It was previously thought that specialists were more likely to have a foreign diploma, as there is not yet an education programme in Belgium for certain specialisations.

Doctors’ union BVAS are unhappy that doctors who have studied in another European country can just start working Belgium, while local students must pass an entrance exam before they can start medical studies.

The BVAS also points out that the more doctors with a foreign diploma recognised by the Riziv, the fewer students will be allowed to start medical studies in Belgium. The union fears more local students will choose to study abroad in English, which may not prepare them sufficiently for a medical career here.

Photo courtesy AZ St Lucas