Perspectives of First-Year Medical Students on Physician Brain Drain and Associated Factors
ABSTRACT
Objective:
Brain drain refers to the migration of qualified and educated professionals from developing or underdeveloped countries to developed ones, often without returning. It is a global issue, and Türkiye is among the most affected. This study aimed to examine first-year medical students’ views on physician brain drain and identify factors associated with their intention to work abroad.
Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire including sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, and educational background. Participants were asked about their motivations to live and work abroad. Those who answered “Yes” or “No” to the question “Do you plan to go abroad after graduation?” were directed to different follow-up questions, including binary and 5-point Likert-type items. The minimum required sample size was calculated as 152 at a 95% confidence level. Data were collected online, and confidentiality was ensured. Analyses were conducted using SPSS 30.0. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages; Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test was used for comparisons.
Results:
A total of 156 first-year medical students participated (89 females, 57.1%; 67 males, 42.9%). Among them, 100 (64.1%) reported an intention to work abroad. A significant association was found between intention to go abroad and family economic status (p=0.029), with students reporting high economic status more likely to prefer continuing their careers in Türkiye. No significant associations were found with gender (p=0.089), foreign language proficiency (p=0.178), or previous experience abroad (p=0.417).
Conclusion:
A considerable proportion of students expressed a desire to work abroad. Economic status appears to play a determining role, while gender, language proficiency, and international experience appeared to have lesser influence on the decision to work abroad.
Keywords:
Brain drain,
medical students,
physicians,
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