Cross-cultural adaptation in healthcare: examining expatriate doctors’ strategies and challenges in Wales

Morris, S and Haj Youssef, M ORCID: 0000-0002-6011-1605 (2026) Cross-cultural adaptation in healthcare: examining expatriate doctors’ strategies and challenges in Wales. Journal of Work Applied Management. pp. 1-15. ISSN 2205-2062

Preview

Text Cross-cultural adaptation in healthcare- examining expatriate doctors’ strategies and challenges in Wales.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (483kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose – This study examines the cross-cultural challenges experienced by expatriate doctors working within an National Health Service (NHS) Health Board in Wales, with particular attention to how they navigate adaptation in professional and social contexts. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a qualitative research design based on semi-structured interviews with expatriate doctors employed at a Welsh NHS health board. Data were analysed thematically to explore participants' experiences of communication, relocation, workplace practices and organisational support during their adaptation process. Findings – The findings indicate that expatriate doctors face persistent challenges related to language and communication nuances, relocation and social isolation, and adjustment to flatter professional hierarchies. Successful adaptation was facilitated by individual factors such as personality traits (notably extraversion and open-mindedness), access to social and familial networks, and prior exposure to the UK healthcare system. Participants consistently highlighted the absence of structured cross-cultural training as a barrier to smoother professional integration. Originality/value – By focusing on self-initiated expatriate doctors in a Welsh healthcare context, the study extends existing research on cross-cultural adaptation in healthcare beyond commonly examined settings. It offers practical insights for improving onboarding, cross-cultural training and institutional support mechanisms, with implications for staff wellbeing, retention and patient care outcomes within the NHS.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Acculturation; Expatriate doctors; Healthcare; Cultural challenges; Integration; Wales; 35 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services; 3507 Strategy, Management and Organisational Behaviour; Behavioral and Social Science; Clinical Research; Basic Behavioral and Social Science; Health Services; Social Determinants of Health; 8.1 Organisation and delivery of services; 7.3 Management and decision making; Generic health relevance; 3 Good Health and Well Being; 3507 Strategy, management and organisational behaviour
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions:	Liverpool Business School
Publisher:	Emerald
Date of acceptance:	17 January 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	6 May 2026
Date Deposited:	06 May 2026 13:29
Last Modified:	06 May 2026 13:29
DOI or ID number:	10.1108/JWAM-09-2025-0178
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28525

View Item