Health Policy
Volume 118, Issue 2, 2014, Pages 173-183

First- and fifth-year medical students' intention for emigration and practice abroad: A case study of Serbia (Article)

Santric-Milicevic M.M.* , Terzic-Supic Z.J. , Matejic B.R. , Vasic V. , Ricketts T.C., III
  • a Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia, Centre - School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
  • b Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia, Centre - School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
  • c Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia, Centre - School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
  • d Department of Statistics and Mathematics, Faculty of Economics University of Belgrade, Kamenicka 6, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
  • e Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, 725 M.L. King Blvd CB 7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, United States

Abstract

Health worker migration is causing profound health, safety, social, economic and political challenges to countries without special polices for health professional' mobility. This study describes the prevalence of migration intentions among medical undergraduates, identifies underlying factors related to migration intention and describes subsequent actions in Serbia. Data were captured by survey of 938 medical students from Belgrade University (94% response rate), representing two thirds of matching students in Serbia stated their intentions, reasons and obstacles regarding work abroad. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and a sequential multivariate logistic regression. Based on descriptive and inferential statistics we were able to predict the profile of first and fifth year medical students who intend or have plans to work abroad. This study contributes to our understanding of the causes and correlates of intent to migrate and could serve to raise awareness and point to the valuable policy options to manage migration. © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Author Keywords

medical students Emigration motivation Serbia Human resources Intention Salaries and fringe benefits

Index Keywords

professional development health care policy correlation analysis motivation human work environment statistics statistics and numerical data salary medical practice salary and fringe benefit quality of life Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans psychology male female specialization Foreign Medical Graduates Behavior observational study medical education prevalence undergraduate student Article Intention migration case study Serbia Emigration and Immigration foreign medical graduate Students, Medical employment medical student
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84922535156&doi=10.1016%2fj.healthpol.2014.09.018&partnerID=40&md5=c76a2d4df83e3d40998e42ab31aa2648
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2014.09.018
ISSN: 01688510
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English