Working conditions and Human Capital Flight Intentions among Medical Doctors in Federal Tertiary Healthcare Institutions in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the influence of working conditions on human capital flight intention of medical doctors in federal tertiary healthcare institutions, south-south, Nigeria. This was premised on the fact that medical doctors are leaving the country in droves while others may be harboring the intention of leaving. Push-Pull theory was used in supporting this study. Survey research design was adopted for this study and the study population was 2,337 medical doctors in the employ of the various tertiary healthcare institutions within the study area from which a sample of 342 was selected. Primary data, which were collected through a structured questionnaire, was used for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential techniques. Results of data analysis revealed that physical work environment explains 7.3% of variance to human capital flight; work burden contributes 3.9% while supervisor support explained 3.7%. Conclusively, the heavy loss of medical doctors including the ones that intend to migrate, poses threat of collapse in the healthcare sector and present major risks to the lives of Nigerians. This calls for intensive consultation and consensus building between the developing and developed countries.