From Spain to County Durham: experience of cross-cultural general practice recruitment.

Between July and September 2002, seven Spanish general practitioners (GPs) were recruited by County Durham primary care organisations (PCOs). They were inducted over a four-month period by the Northern Deanery in collaboration with the University of Northumbria at Newcastle (UNN), a local provider of English language teaching. Of these seven, five have continued to work beyond their initial year's contract. Lessons learned include the need for clarity in appointment procedures, significant help in relocation to the UK, good induction practice, and the provision of ongoing educational and personal support. Future recruitment initiatives will need to reflect on these lessons, not least at a time of increasing pressure on PCO finances and deanery induction capacity. INSETS: Box 1 Semi-structured interview;Box 2 Learning points for PCOs and deaneries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]