Evaluating the Implementation Strategy of a Labor Integration Intervention Designed to Promote Health Among Highly Educated Migrants in Norway: A Qualitative Study

Background: Health, employment, and professional integration are closely linked for migrant health professionals. However, language barriers and complex accreditation processes often hinder foreign-trained professionals from re-entering their fields in host countries. This study evaluated the implementation strategy of a health-promoting labor integration intervention in Norway that placed highly educated migrant health professionals in academic institutions as assistant teachers, where they worked alongside mentors and gained exposure to Norwegian work culture. Methods: A qualitative implementation evaluation informed by implementation science was conducted, focusing on four predefined implementation outcomes: satisfaction, participation, fidelity, and feasibility. Data were collected in Bergen, Norway, through field observations and midway evaluations during the intervention, and semi-structured interviews with 15 mentees and 11 mentors after its completion. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Mentees reported increased confidence, professional growth, and meaningful engagement in academic activities. Mentors generally perceived the intervention as rewarding, although some experienced challenges related to unclear expectations and competing responsibilities. Fidelity varied across sites due to mentor–mentee mismatches and bureaucratic delays. Feasibility was enhanced by personalized support, team-based mentoring, and flexible integration into academic settings. Conclusions: Academic placements may promote the integration and wellbeing of migrant health professionals. Addressing implementation challenges before scale-up is essential. Future larger-scale effectiveness studies should build on both the implementation findings reported here and the pilot outcome findings reported elsewhere to assess intervention effects, sustainability, and scalability: