Abstract
Background: Due to the significant staff shortages, emigration of health professionals is one of the key challenges for many healthcare systems. Objective: The aim of this article is to explore the estimated trends and directions of emigration among Polish health professionals. Methods: The emigration phenomenon of Polish health professionals is still under-researched and the number of studies in this field is limited. Thus, the authors have triangulated data using two methods: a data analysis of five national registers maintained by chambers of professionals (doctors, nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and laboratory diagnosticians), and data analysis from the Regulated Profession Database in The EU Single Market. Results: According to the data from national registers, between 7–9% of practicing doctors and nurses have applied for certificates, which confirm their right to practice their profession in other European countries (most often the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Spain, and Ireland). The relatively high number of such certificates applied for by physiotherapists is also worrying. Emigration among pharmacists and laboratory diagnosticians is rather marginal. Conclusions: Urgent implementation of an effective mechanism for monitoring emigration trends is necessary. Furthermore, it is not possible to retain qualified professionals without systemic improvement of working conditions within the Polish healthcare system.
Highlights
In May 2004, Poland joined the European Union, which significantly changed the labour market for health professionals
Since 2004, doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, and pharmacists trained in Poland and holding Polish nationality have been free to seek employment, work, and settle down in any European
The first step focused on gathering data from all five national official registers maintained by associations of health professionals: (1) the National Chamber of Physicians, (2) the National Chamber of Nurses and Midwives, (3) the National Chamber of Physiotherapists, (4) The Supreme Pharmaceutical Chamber, and (5) the National Chamber of Laboratory Diagnosticians
Summary
In May 2004, Poland joined the European Union, which significantly changed the labour market for health professionals. 2005/36/EC) meant that professional qualifications obtained at Polish universities were recognized throughout the EU, which reduced barriers related to emigration [1]. Since 2004, doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, and pharmacists trained in Poland and holding Polish nationality have been free to seek employment, work, and settle down in any European. Free mobility of medical staff is legally binding and may not be hindered by governments or other health sector stakeholders [2]. According to the latest available Eurostat data, in 2019, 4.2 million people immigrated to one of the Member States, and 2.7 million emigrated from one of the above-mentioned countries. Some 5.1% of the 447.3 million people living in the EU on 1 January 2020 were non-EU citizens [3]
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