Economic Factors Affecting The Intention To Migrate Among Medical Doctors In Federal Tertiary Healthcare Institutions In Southern Nigeria
Dr. Emily R. Johnson
Department of Healthcare Management, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Professor Michael A. Smith
Department of Health Economics, School of Business, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Abstract
This study was conducted to assess the influence of economic factors on brain flight intention of medical doctors in federal tertiary healthcare institutions, south-south, Nigeria. This was premised on the fact that medical doctor are leaving the country at droves while others may be harboring the intention of leaving. Push-Pull theory was used in supporting this study. Survey research design was adapted. Population of the study was 2,337 medical doctors in the employ of the various tertiary healthcare institutions within the study area. Sample size was determined using Taro Yamene’s formulae and it was given as 342. Proportionate formulae was employed to ensure that each institution under study was fairly represented. Data for the study was sourced from primary source involving structured questionnaire administered to the respondents in their respective offices. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential involving percentages, mean, standard deviation, standardized coefficients, tstatistics and p-values. Results revealed that standard of living explains 3.7% of variance of brain flight and a standardized coefficient of β=0.629 with a p-value of 0.000. Rising wage gap explained 7.3% of variance of brain flight intent with a standardized coefficient of β=0.923 and p-value of 0.000. Conclusively, the heavy loss of healthcare professionals including the ones that intend to migrate, poses threat of collapsed healthcare services and major risks to the lives of Nigerians. This calls for intensive consultation and consensus building between the developing and developed countries. As recommendations, there is need to increase the funding of public healthcare sector to enable hospitals purchase necessary equipment and for improvement of doctors’ welfare packages