BRAIN DRAIN: A HARSH REALITY. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION OF PAKISTANI MEDICAL GRADUATES

Abstract

Objective:

To explore final year students & fresh graduates' intentions to train abroad, identify the

Methodology:

Following informed consent, respondents were asked to complete a self administered

structured questionnaire to collect demographic and educational information, their plans for post

graduation training abroad, factors influencing decision to migrate abroad or stay in Pakistan as well as

attitudes towards prospects in Pakistan and abroad. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS 17.0.

Results:

Among the 275 respondents, 176 (60.4%) intended to go abroad for postgraduate training.

Professional excellence (25.5%), easier career settlement(10.2%) and financial prosperity(7.6%) were some

of the goals respondents wish to achieve through training abroad while required process of certifications

i.e. exams and tests(37.5%), expenses(24.4%) and visa problems(21.5%) were identified as barriers for

migration abroad. Agreement among various groups (general public, patients, healthcare institutions,

academic community) considering doctors trained abroad as more qualified than doctors trained in

Pakistan was noted. Respondents showed dissatisfaction regarding job prospects, career progression, and

society and government attitude towards doctors as well as living standards in Pakistan. Positive attitudes

were identified towards doctors' status, living standards, and ability to cope with working conditions,

political and social circumstances abroad.

Conclusion:

A significant percentage of medical graduates intend to migrate abroad for post graduate

training. Apart from better economic prospects, unhelpful views towards conditions in Pakistan also

contribute for increasing trend of migration among physicians from our homeland.

influencing factors for this decision and understand their attitudes towards conditions in Pakistan and

abroad.