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Causes, consequences, and policy responses to the migration of health workers: key findings from India.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 101170535 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1478-4491 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14784491 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Hum Resour Health Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: [London] : BioMed Central
    • Subject Terms:
      Emigration and Immigration* ; Health Personnel* ; Health Policy* ; Health Services Accessibility* ; Motivation* ; Professional Practice Location*; Delivery of Health Care/*standards; Allied Health Personnel/supply & distribution ; Dentists/supply & distribution ; Humans ; India ; Midwifery ; Nurses/supply & distribution ; Personnel Management ; Pharmacists/supply & distribution ; Physicians/supply & distribution ; Specialization
    • Abstract:
      Background: This study sought to better understand the drivers of skilled health professional migration, its consequences, and the various strategies countries have employed to mitigate its negative impacts. The study was conducted in four countries-Jamaica, India, the Philippines, and South Africa-that have historically been "sources" of health workers migrating to other countries. The aim of this paper is to present the findings from the Indian portion of the study.
      Methods: Data were collected using surveys of Indian generalist and specialist physicians, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists, dieticians, and other allied health therapists. We also conducted structured interviews with key stakeholders representing government ministries, professional associations, regional health authorities, health care facilities, and educational institutions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.
      Results: Shortages of health workers are evident in certain parts of India and in certain specialty areas, but the degree and nature of such shortages are difficult to determine due to the lack of evidence and health information. The relationship of such shortages to international migration is not clear. Policy responses to health worker migration are also similarly embedded in wider processes aimed at health workforce management, but overall, there is no clear policy agenda to manage health worker migration. Decision-makers in India present conflicting options about the need or desirability of curtailing migration.
      Conclusions: Consequences of health work migration on the Indian health care system are not easily discernable from other compounding factors. Research suggests that shortages of skilled health workers in India must be examined in relation to domestic policies on training, recruitment, and retention rather than viewed as a direct consequence of the international migration of health workers.
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    • Grant Information:
      MOP 106493 Canada CIHR
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Causes; Consequences; Doctors; Health worker migration; Human resources for health; India; Nurses; Policy responses
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20170407 Date Completed: 20170919 Latest Revision: 20190111
    • Publication Date:
      20250114
    • Accession Number:
      PMC5382411
    • Accession Number:
      10.1186/s12960-017-0199-y
    • Accession Number:
      28381289