MOTIVATION OF CROATIAN HEALTH WORKERS TO GO ABROAD

Abstract

Introduction: Prior to Croatia's accession to the European Union, nurses could be employed in Germany under an agreement between the German Federal Agency and the Croatian Employment Service. Following Croatia's accession to the European Union in 2015, thelabor market has become more accessible and open. Objective: Explore the motivation of Croatian health workers to go abroad.Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The study was conducted using a survey consisting of 29 questions and involving a total of 102 respondents, and three interviews were conducted for research purposes. Results: The participants attend retraining to ensure a better future for their children abroad (38.1 %), to find a good, steady and better paid job (23.5 %) and to obtain a dignified pension (63.7 %). As the main reason for emigration, respondents cite corruption and injustice (65.7 %), non-arrangement of the state (59.8 %), while seeing the biggest problem in leaving the family (20.6 %). At the end of 2019 Croatia was abandoned by 1,438 nurses, mainly due to poor working conditions and dissatisfaction with the material conditions of work in Croatia. This trend included other health professionals. Conclusion: The main factor for the emigration of health professionals is the political organization of the state, which is manifested by corruption and injustice, clientelism, political affiliation, and replaces man's knowledge, ability, skill, value and dignity. Keywords: motivation, departure, health professionals, abroad