Purpose – The paper seeks to investigate the leading causes of physician migration from Zimbabwe and to highlight the patterns of physician migration over the past-two decades. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed methods approach, involving a survey and interviews, was used to collect data for the study. Findings – The paper demonstrates that personal networks, not recruitment agencies, are the main drivers of physician migration from the country. However, the importance of recruitment agencies as channels of information about job opportunities abroad has grown substantially over the last decade. The research findings suggest that Zimbabwe will continue losing physicians to other countries until economic and political stability has been restored in the country. Originality/value – By highlighting the patterns and causes of physician migration from Zimbabwe, the paper makes a contribution to the implementation of policy measures aimed at retaining physicians in the country. © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Zimbabwe Migration Step migration Brain drain physicians economic stability

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