Unveiling Drivers Behind Migration of Bangladeshi Doctors

Abstract

Background: Sustainable health care development demands satisfaction of the providers. Understanding of the factors associated with their decision for migration is the foremost step to fight this brain drain.

Methods: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in 8 medical colleges and coaching centers for foreign licensing examinations from 1st July, 2023 to 30th June, 2024. A total 427 respondents were sampled by convenience sampling, 320 were intern doctors and 97 were graduates who were taking foreign licensing examination. Data were collected by a semi structured questionnaire. The response was converted to six point semantic scale, score 0-6, for comparing the means and statistical inference. Data were analyzed and presented in tabular format with applicable statis- tical inference.

Results: Regarding socio-political factors, mean ‘better living standard’ score was 3.82±1.05, mean ‘better household’ score 3.58±1.19, mean ‘better transport’ score 3.91±1.04, mean ‘better schooling for children’ score 3.80±1.23, mean ‘higher honors of doctor’ score 3.76±1.30, mean ‘better social transparency’ score 3.94±1.30, mean ‘better accountabili- ty’ score 3.90±1.09,mean ‘political noninterference’ score 3.90±1.39, mean ‘ethical equity’ (everyone is treated as equal) score 3.81±1.23, mean ‘religious equity’ (all religion is treated equally) score 2.97±1.53 and mean ‘better social security’ score was 4.09±1.04. Regarding economic factors, mean ‘better salary’ score was 3.77±1.13, mean ‘better employment’ score 3.53±1.29, mean ‘favorable cost of living’ score 2.64±1.32 and mean ‘reasonable tax burden’ score was 2.26±1.43. Regarding family related factors, mean score of ‘presence of relatives in abroad’ 1.59±1.59, mean ‘spouse's occupation / residency score’ 2.53±1.86, mean ‘better future of siblings’ score 3.14±1.53, mean ‘to provide better economic support to family’ score 3.62±1.24 and mean ‘parental demand’ score was 1.70±1.62. Regarding personal factors, mean ‘peer motivation’ score 2.77±1.44, ‘challenging job’ score 2.79±1.33, mean ‘aid work’ score 2.73±1.47, mean ‘exploring new places’ score 3.63±1.18 and mean ‘pursuit of personal dreams and satisfaction’ was 3.55±1.63. in relation to academic factors, mean score for scope of post-graduation 3.42±1.21, mean score for scope of specialized training opportunities 3.60±1.24, mean ‘career progression’ score 3.32±1.49, mean ‘involvement in research’ score 3.61±1.24, mean ‘trustwor- thy relationship between student and teacher’ score 3.77±1.00 and mean ‘favorable educational environment’ score was 3.81±1.02.

Conclusions: The insight obtained from the study would contribute in structuring future health system and education.

CME J 2025; 4(2):05-15