The “Brain Drain”: Factors influencing physician migration to Canada

Aisha Lofters,Morgan Slater,Naomi Thulien

doi:10.4236/health.2013.51017

Abstract

Context: Higher income countries have an average physician density of 300 physicians per 100,000 people. In stark contrast, lower income countries have an average physician density of 17 physicians per 100,000 people. A major cause of this discrepancy is the migration of healthcare professionals from lower income to higher income countries, a phenomenon colloquially known as the “brain drain”. Objective: To explore factors that led International Medical Graduate (IMG) physicians to leave their home countries and migrate to Canada. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire with a mix of open- and close-ended questions was sent to 500 randomly selected IMG physicians practicing in Ontario, Canada. Results were analyzed using a mixed-method design utilizing both descriptive statistics and a thematic analysis approach. Results: 39 physicians met inclusion criteria and completed the survey. The majority were 50 years or older, and over 60% were male. The most common reason for emigration from their home country was the socioeconomic and/or political situation, and the most common reason for selecting Canada was family issues. Suggestions for how brain drain could be stemmed fell into three broad categories: 1) more accurate information about lack of opportunities in Canada, 2) more continuing medical education opportunities in home countries, and 3) address issues such as safety and quality of life in home countries. Conclusions: This survey provides insights into the reasons for emigration and immigration for international medical graduates. The results of this survey can assist stakeholders in working toward appropriate and acceptable solutions to the brain drain.

Highlights

In many resource-poor nations around the world, shortages of health care professionals exist at levels that limit the ability to provide even basic health care in a consistent manner and resultantly have a direct and meaningful impact on citizens’ health and wellbeing [1]
While there are several causes for these striking differences in physician supply, one important contributor has been the substantial migration of physicians and other health care workers from lower-income to higher-income countries, a phenomenon colloquially known as “brain drain”
The International Organization for Migration estimates that lower-income countries pay $500 million (USD) per year to train health care workers who migrate to higher-income nations [3]

Summary

Introduction

In many resource-poor nations around the world, shortages of health care professionals exist at levels that limit the ability to provide even basic health care in a consistent manner and resultantly have a direct and meaningful impact on citizens’ health and wellbeing [1]. The World Health Organization has estimated the global health worker shortfall to be over 4.2 million [1]. This statistic is unsurprising considering lower-income countries have average physician densities of 17 per 100,000 population as compared to an average of 300 per 100,000 in highincome countries [2]. While there are several causes for these striking differences in physician supply, one important contributor has been the substantial migration of physicians and other health care workers from lower-income to higher-income countries, a phenomenon colloquially known as “brain drain”. The International Organization for Migration estimates that lower-income countries pay $500 million (USD) per year to train health care workers who migrate to higher-income nations [3]

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Methods

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Conclusion