ArticleBMC health services research2024
Factors influencing the intention of doctors to emigrate: a cross-sectional study of Ghanaian doctors.
Article in BMC health services research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- `This is our country and somehow, we have to make it work': a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study of the enablers of non-migration and return migration in a cohort of Nigerian medical doctors and dentists.Global health action · 2026Article
- Building OHNS Capacity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Insights From Global Training Programs.Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology · 2026Article
- Predictors of migration intentions among Turkish physicians: a lasso logistic regression approach.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- The effect of perceived victimization on willingness to migrate among Turkish doctors: mediator of job dissatisfaction and moderator of perceived career opportunity.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- Stroke in Ghana: A Situational Analysis.Stroke research and treatment · 2025Review
- Roots and Wings: The Role of Job Embeddedness in Mitigating Nurses' Emigration Intention Through a Serial Mediation Lens.Journal of nursing management · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundThe migration of healthcare professionals from developing countries to more developed nations poses a significant challenge to healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to determine the proportion of doctors in Ghana who intend to migrate abroad and to identify the sociodemographic and "pull and push" factors that influence their intention. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among doctors in Ghana between March 1, 2024, and March 15, 2024, via an online-based semi-structured questionnaire. Doctors working in Ghana, regardless of nationality, were included. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with the intention to emigrate. Statistical significance was set at a p-value of < 0.05.
resultsAlmost all the doctors who responded to the questionnaire consented to participate (99.4%, 641/645). More than half (53.8%, n = 345) of the respondents were medical officers. Most respondents intended to migrate to practice abroad (71.8%, n = 460). The United States (59.7%), the United Kingdom (39.1%), and Canada (34.8%) were the most preferred destinations. After adjusting for covariates, young doctors between 20-29 years [(Adjusted Odd Ratios) AOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.13-6.39)], male doctors (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.04-2.25), doctors in lower professional ranks, and doctors in the field of diagnostics (AOR = 5.70, 95% CI = 1.16 - 28.03) had significantly higher odds of intending to migrate. In descending order of magnitude, the respondents strongly agreed that better remuneration (1.22 ± 0.63), better quality of life (1.22 ± 0.67), better working conditions (1.26 ± 0.69), and better postgraduate training (1.41 ± 0.80) were pull factors. The push factors were economic challenges (1.17 ± 0.49), a lack of a conducive working environment (1.56 ± 0.86), slow career progression (1.95 ± 1.07), excessive workload (2.07 ± 0.12), personal circumstances (2.26 ± 1.19), and poor postgraduate training (2.48 ± 1.22).
conclusionA substantial proportion of doctors in Ghana are considering emigration, driven by a combination of attractive opportunities abroad and challenging conditions in Ghana. Addressing these issues through improved remuneration, better working environments, and enhanced career development and training opportunities is crucial to retaining healthcare professionals.
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