Seeking Greener Pastures: An Exploration of the Brain Drain Phenomenon. A Survey of Active Physicians in Ghana, West Africa

Document Type

Presentation

Presentation Date

6-1-2013

Abstract or Description

Research Objective: Between 1985 and 1994, it was estimated that approximately 61% of all graduating Ghanaian medical students immigrated to developed nations. In addition to crippling the health systems of developing nations, the emigration of physicians from subSaharan countries results in a loss of return on investment to these nations. Given the significant impact the emigration of physicians has on low-resource nations, a study on the determinants of physician emigration is warranted. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with the intention of active Ghanaian physicians to leave the country within the next 5 years.

Study Design: The study design was a crosssectional correlational study design using data from an ongoing online survey of practicing physicians in Ghana. Preliminary findings are reported for a sample of 182 physicians who responded to the survey between December 2012 and January 2012. The primary independent variables examined were burnout, satisfaction with resources, satisfaction with professional relationships, satisfaction with work-life balance and overall career satisfaction. Dimensions of burnout and career satisfaction were assessed using modified forms of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Physician Work Life Survey. Exploratory factor analyses and measures of internal consistency were used to evaluate the instrument’s validity and reliability. Other demographic and practice characteristics assessed included gender, age, number of working hours per week, professional status (house officer/medical officer/resident/specialist/consultant, geographical location of practice (rural/urban), employer (private/government) and contentment with compensation. Multivariate linear regression models with stepwise selection were used to assess the independent relationships between these factors and the intent to emigrate. All analyses were conducted using the SAS 9.3 statistical software.

Population Studied: Active physicians in Ghana, West Africa (N =182).

Principal Findings: Burnout and all four dimensions of career satisfaction were not associated with intent to emigrate. Contentment with compensation was the only variable statistically associated with intent to emigrate. Specifically, physicians who felt they were not well compensated given their training and experience were more like to report thinking about leaving Ghana within the next 5 years.

Conclusions: Neither burnout or career dissatisfaction were motivators for emigration in this study’s sample. Findings from this study indicate that the Ghanaian physicians intending to emigrate may be driven by financial considerations.

Implications for Policy, Delivery, or Practice: Health policies aimed at increasing monetary compensation for physicians may improve the retention of physicians in Ghana.

Sponsorship/Conference/Institution

Academy Health Annual Research Meeting (ARM)

Location

Baltimore, MD

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