Workplace-based assessment for international medical graduates: at what cost?
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the cost of resources required to deliver a program to assess international medical graduates (IMGs) in Newcastle, Australia, known as the Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) Program.


METHODS
A costing study to identify and evaluate the resources required and the overheads of delivering the program for a cohort of 15 IMGs, based on costs in 2012.


METHODS
Labour-related costs.


RESULTS
The total cost in 2012 for delivering the program to a typical cohort of 15 candidates was $243,384. This equated to an average of $16,226 per IMG. After allowing for the fees paid by IMGs, the WBA Program had a deficit of $153,384, or $10,226 per candidate, which represents the contribution made by the health system.


CONCLUSIONS
The cost per candidate to the health system of this intensive WBA program for IMGs is small.
Centre for Medical Professional Development, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW, Australia. kichu.nair@newcastle.edu.au.
Balakrishnan Kichu R
BK
Nair
Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Andrew M
AM
Searles
Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Rod I
RI
Ling
Centre for Medical Professional Development, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Julie
J
Wein
Centre for Medical Professional Development, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Kathy
K
Ingham
D001315:Australia; D002568:Certification / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D017132:Workplace