Doctor’s are highly specialised individuals with an advanced knowledge of the medical and healthcare field. For one to train to become a doctor it takes a great number of years and highly specialised training that allow the trainee to have a thorough and complete understanding of the complex needs and inner workings of the human body. For those who have attained such medical qualifications, securing doctors jobs is almost guaranteed. The New Zealand Ministry of Development under the umbrella of the internal department, Kiwi Careers, stated that in 2006 there were 9,547 doctors working in full-time employment in New Zealand in two main areas of healthcare. These two areas of healthcare are family medicine, which is inclusive of general practitioner specialists, and specialised doctors based in a hospital, or in a private practise that treat and see patients. These specialist roles include surgeons, radiologists and dermatologists.

Currently in New Zealand, as experienced globally, there is a severe shortage of doctors across the entire profession. Some of the specialist positions suffering from this shortage include anaesthetists, general surgeons, psychiatrists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, renal physicians, specialist physicians in palliative medicine and�gene specialist physicians.

The New Zealand Government is actively supportive of skilled people in these roles to entering New Zealand to work in these capacities. The reason for the shortage of these specialised doctors is partly influenced by a period in July 2007, when at least 80 specialist doctors left New Zealand over a 10 month time frame, as they were said to be enticed by higher wages and salaries offshore. Although many of the doctors that left New Zealand were in fact considered short-term employees, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists warns that New Zealand is facing an unprecedented medical workforce crisis.

As the shortage for qualified doctors within New Zealand appears consistent and enduring, the demand for qualified specialist doctors continues to grow. Along with the growing demand for qualified professionals, the trend towards an increase in the amount of modern day medical treatments being offered is also expanding. This further feeds into the demand for qualified doctors to fill these jobs and administer the procedures. There are also a number of patients living with chronic diseases whose life expectancy is increasing. Another contributing factor is the ever increasing ageing population that require healthcare and medical attention. Unlike employment opportunities in other industries, during the current financial climate, doctor jobs in the health care field are continuing to grow steadily.

It is because of this surge in need for specialist and qualified doctors that New Zealand is becoming increasingly reliant on overseas doctors. Employers are increasingly hiring overseas-trained doctors in a bid to combat the shortage. It is not uncommon for many medical specialists to spend time working overseas to broaden their skills and experience, to become more educated and well-rounded doctors. New Zealand provides a forward thinking, technologically savvy and dedicated working environment in which overseas medical professionals can flourish.