Human Resources for Health
Volume 13, Issue 1, 2015

Health worker migration from South Africa: Causes, consequences and policy responses (Article) (Open Access)

Labonté R.* , Sanders D. , Mathole T. , Crush J. , Chikanda A. , Dambisya Y. , Runnels V. , Packer C. , MacKenzie A. , Murphy G.T. , Bourgeault I.L.
  • a University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, 850 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1G 3Z7, Canada
  • b University of Western Cape, School of Public Health, Bellville, P. B. X17, South Africa
  • c University of Western Cape, School of Public Health, Bellville, P. B. X17, South Africa
  • d Balsillie School of International Affairs, Waterloo, ON N2L 6C2, Canada, University of Cape Town, P/B Rondebosch, South Africa
  • e University of Kansas, Department of Geography, Lawrence, KS, United States
  • f East, Central and Southern African Health Community, P.O. Box 1009, Arusha, Tanzania
  • g University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, 850 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1G 3Z7, Canada
  • h University of Ottawa, Faculty of Medicine, 850 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1G 3Z7, Canada
  • i Dalhousie University, WHO/PAHO Collaborating Centre on Health Workforce Planning and Research, 5869 University Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
  • j Dalhousie University, WHO/PAHO Collaborating Centre on Health Workforce Planning and Research, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Professions, 5869 University Avenue, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
  • k University of Ottawa, Telfer School of Management, 1 Stewart St., Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada

Abstract

Background: This paper arises from a four-country study that sought to better understand the drivers of skilled health worker migration, its consequences, and the strategies countries have employed to mitigate negative impacts. The four countries-Jamaica, India, the Philippines, and South Africa-have historically been "sources" of skilled health workers (SHWs) migrating to other countries. This paper presents the findings from South Africa. Methods: The study began with a scoping review of the literature on health worker migration from South Africa, followed by empirical data collected from skilled health workers and stakeholders. Surveys were conducted with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. Interviews were conducted with key informants representing educators, regulators, national and local governments, private and public sector health facilities, recruitment agencies, and professional associations and councils. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models. Interview data were analyzed thematically. Results: There has been an overall decrease in out-migration of skilled health workers from South Africa since the early 2000s largely attributed to a reduced need for foreign-trained skilled health workers in destination countries, limitations on recruitment, and tighter migration rules. Low levels of worker satisfaction persist, although the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) policy (2007), which increased wages for health workers, has been described as critical in retaining South African nurses. Return migration was reportedly a common occurrence. The consequences attributed to SHW migration are mixed, but shortages appear to have declined. Most promising initiatives are those designed to reinforce the South African health system and undertaken within South Africa itself. Conclusions: In the near past, South Africa's health worker shortages as a result of emigration were viewed as significant and harmful. Currently, domestic policies to improve health care and the health workforce including innovations such as new skilled health worker cadres and OSD policies appear to have served to decrease SHW shortages to some extent. Decreased global demand for health workers and indications that South African SHWs primarily use migratory routes for professional development suggest that health worker shortages as a result of permanent migration no longer pertains to South Africa. © 2015 Labonté et al.

Author Keywords

Pharmacists Migration human resources for health Health workers South Africa physicians dentists Retention Nurses policy

Index Keywords

Jamaica professional development nurse India health care policy developing country health care personnel motivation human Developing Countries Pharmacists middle aged statistics Job Satisfaction Physicians Nurses Salaries and Fringe Benefits driver salary and fringe benefit health personnel attitude South Africa interview Surveys and Questionnaires Attitude of Health Personnel Humans male Dentists female personnel management supply and distribution questionnaire manpower doctor nurse relation Personnel Turnover adult migration physician human experiment government Emigration and Immigration Health Policy statistical model health care facility Delivery of Health Care pharmacist employment Philippines satisfaction dentist health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84949221065&doi=10.1186%2fs12960-015-0093-4&partnerID=40&md5=114bed7b94a2da25b098f8a3c0884539
DOI: 10.1186/s12960-015-0093-4
ISSN: 14784491
Cited by: 20
Original Language: English