Impact of Merit-Based Immigration Policies on Brain Drain From Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

PURPOSE Brain drain is the migration of educated and skilled individuals from a less developed region or country to a more economically established one. The Trump administration proposed a merit-based immigration plan. This article addresses its potential impact on health care delivery in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and their preparedness to deal with it. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data on immigration policies, numbers of international medical graduates practicing in high-income countries (HICs), various scientific exchange methods, and efforts for capacity building in LMICs. RESULTS Talented individuals seek to advance their knowledge and skills, and may stay in HICs because of greater rewards and opportunities. HICs also rely on immigrant international medical graduates to supplement their physician workforces. CONCLUSION Ambitious individuals from LMICs need and should have opportunities to advance their education and training in more advanced countries. LMICs should increase their educational efforts, research capabilities, infrastructures, and living conditions to better serve their own populations and reduce their brain drain phenomenon.

Cancer research in the 57 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries, 2008–17

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The moral challenges of health care providers brain drain phenomenon

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“…The migration of healthcare professionals has often prompted morally-charged discussions among ethicists, politicians, and policymakers in both migrant-sending and migrant-receiving countries because of its devastating effects on the health of those who are left behind in the migrants' countries of origin. [1][2][3][4] The extensive health inequities that exist between low-income countries, such as those in sub-Saharan Africa, and high-income countries in North America and Western Europe have been exacerbated by the global migration of healthcare professionals. Globalization and the worldwide demand for healthcare have facilitated and, indeed, accelerated the migration of healthcare professionals; a larger number of domestic borders have been opened to foreign labor in the health sector, thus resulting in the cross-border migration of health workers.…”

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“…A merit-based immigration plan announced by the US government might make it easier for highly skilled individuals from LMICs to move to the United States and thus worsen the already serious problem of brain drain. 15 …”