“I continue to consult remotely”: The trans/national practices of war-related migrant doctors in Israel and professional boundaries

Abstract

This study examines the professional practices of doctors who emigrated from Russia to Israel following the invasion of Ukraine and its aftermath. It focuses on the national and transnational dimensions of their work, exploring how these medical professionals navigate their careers in the early years of migration. We analyze these practices as both shaped by and shaping national, professional, and institutional boundaries, highlighting the dynamic interplay between migration, professional identity, and systemic constraints. Local rootedness and national exclusivity present significant barriers to the development of transnational medical work. While a growing body of research has examined the cross-border professional activities of physicians, considerably less attention has been paid to those of doctors who are forced to migrate due to war, persecution, or political instability. Additionally, we know little about how the war has impacted Russian migrant doctors and their professional practices, especially in relation to the opportunities for global online medical work. The results of our study based on 21 in-depth interviews add to understanding of the diverse practices involved in professional restructuring, as opposed to a unidirectional model of integration. Our findings highlight the flexibility of professional boundaries, which are often assumed to be rigid and opaque.