Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41637393›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Migration intentions and their impact on healthcare workers in a Lebanese public university hospital amid crises: A mixed-method study.

Linda Abou-Abbas, Maya Hassan, Elizabeth Al Mounajed, Mohamad Shafic Ramadan, Hala Dalal

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Linda Abou-AbbasInternational Committee of the Red Cross, Lebanon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9185-3831
Maya HassanFaculty of Health Sciences (FHS), American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Elizabeth Al MounajedInternational Committee of the Red Cross, Lebanon.
Mohamad Shafic RamadanInternational Committee of the Red Cross, Lebanon.
Hala DalalInternational Committee of the Red Cross, Lebanon.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe emigration of skilled healthcare workers (HCWs) seeking better opportunities poses major challenges to healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. Amidst ongoing economic and political crises, Lebanon is facing substantial healthcare workforce migration. This study explored the migration intentions of Lebanese HCWs, identifies key drivers, and proposes context-specific retention strategies.

methodsA mixed-methods design was employed at Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) in Beirut, Lebanon. A structured survey assessed migration intentions and associated drivers among frontline healthcare workers, while semi-structured interviews with department chiefs explored organizational and systemic factors influencing workforce retention. Quantitative data were analyzed to identify predictors of migration intentions, and qualitative data were thematically analyzed using a combined deductive-inductive approach.

resultsAmong 120 HCWs surveyed, 70% expressing intentions to migrate-primarily due to financial concerns (93%) and security issues (81%). Lower satisfaction with pay (adjusted OR= 0.85, 95% CI = 0.72-0.996) was significantly associated with migration intentions. Qualitative findings confirmed widespread staff migration since 2019, leading to critical shortages, heavier workloads, and department closures. Department chiefs emphasized the need for financial incentives, professional development opportunities, supportive management, and flexible scheduling to improve retention.

conclusionsHCW migration from Lebanon reflects a complex interplay of financial, professional, and systemic factors. Immediate and sustainable policy interventions-combining financial stabilization with workforce development and improved working conditions-are urgently required to preserve healthcare system functionality and resilience.

Indexed as

Emigration and ImmigrationHealth PersonnelHospitals, UniversityAdultBrain DrainFemaleFrontline WorkersHumansIntentionLebanonMalePersonnel TurnoverSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID41637393
PMCPMC12871958

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.