Cross-Cultural Design for Employability: Mobile Support for Healthcare Professionals

Supporting migrants in entering host societies is a challenge. In Sweden, influx of migrants resulted in problems with access to in-classroom Swedish language courses for migrants in general, and for health care professionals (HCPs) in particular. Due to its accessibility, mobile technology can be a bridging tool between migrants and host societies, providing an alternative/ complement to classroom teaching. This study reports on the non-European HCPs' employability needs, and how these needs can be met by a mobile application. A qualitative methodology based on semi-structured focus group interviews and interactive workshops with HCPs, mentors and language teachers is used to (a) investigate the HPCs' needs; (b) discuss the content and the design of a mobile prototype application (app) for supporting labour market integration of HCPs. Further, based on the findings, a prototype is created for user testing. Thematic content analysis is used for analysis of the data from the focus groups and workshops. Descriptive statistics is used for the analysis of questionnaires for prototype testing. The results show that the HCPs need a targeted language and culture training as well as opportunities to develop contacts with Swedish HCPs. Further, a roadmap for the main steps needed to get a medical license is requested. The users are in general positive about the prototype. The results suggest a possibility of cultural impact on design preferences. The study gives suggestions for developing a mobile app for enhancing integration of HCPs in the Swedish labor market, which can potentially be further developed for other professional groups.