Factors Influencing Brain Drain Among Resident Physicians in Turkey

Abstract

Background: One of the biggest losses with regard to the education costs is the brain drain seen among resident physicians, who are a part of the qualified labor force. Brain drain has at the same time a rather adverse effect on the health systems. Difficulties in the education and working conditions of resident physicians may lead to brain drain. Aim: The present study aimed to compare the intent of brain drain in resident physicians by a range of variables (age, gender, marital status, dependents, socio-economic status, professional experience, and job satisfaction) and to investigate the reasons for their intention to migrate. Study Design: Descriptive study. Method: A total of 161 resident physicians working in university and state hospitals in Ankara city center were included in the study. The research data were collected using the questionnaire about the views of resident physicians on brain drain and the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale. Results: More than half of the resident physicians participating in the study desired to attend to medical specialty programs abroad (83/161, 51,6%) and to work abroad (89/161, 55,3%). Germany, United States of America, England, and Canada were the most frequently preferred countries for education and employment opportunities. There was a statistically significant relationship between specialty education abroad and gender (p=0.016) and socio-economic status (p=0.016). While one of the main reasons for attending a medical specialty program abroad is that the education conditions abroad are better, the main reason for the desire to work abroad is the better working and living conditions. Conclusion: More than half of resident physicians in Turkey, want to attend a medical specialty program abroad and work abroad for better education, employment, and living conditions. This poses a great risk for educational costs.

Increasing Trend of Studying Abroad for Residency Training Among Medical Students

“…Many physicians emigrate worldwide for undergraduate medical education, residency training, and academic and professional possibilities (Leung et al, 2020;Tansel & G€ ungo¨r, 2004;Ug˘ur, 2022). This has been pointed out as the first step (Hallock et al, 2007) or influencing factor (Gouda et al, 2015) of permanently leaving the home country and different proportions of residents and students reported to migrate and/or permanent stay intentions in the preferred countries (Li & Sun, 2019;Petousis et al, 2019).…”

“…In the last decade, physician migration intention has been on an increasing trend, and it has almost doubled in 2022 compared to 2021 (Turkish Medical Association, 2022), with most of them planning to stay permanently in their destination country (Ug˘ur, 2022). n In addition to economic factors, a more organized and systematic lifestyle appears and important consideration for students.…”

“…n In addition to economic factors, a more organized and systematic lifestyle appears and important consideration for students. The economic and political instability and uncertainty in Turkey in the last few years are also aggravating factors driving working people reluctance to return (Tansel & G€ ungo¨r, 2004;Ug˘ur, 2022). The results of a study conducted among Turkish physicians in the USA can be added to the reluctance to return.…”