An Evaluation of Push and Pull Factors associated with the Emigration of Medical Consultants from Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The health workforce of a nation is crucial to its economic productivity and development. In Nigeria, the emigration of  healthcare professionals from the country has become alarming and is fueled by various factors. This study thus determined to study the  push and pull factors encouraging the emigration of medical consultants from Nigeria as well as their perceptions of what can be done to  retain Nigeria’s health workforce in the country.

Methodology: An online survey of 238 consultants (fellows) of the West Africa College of Physicians, West Africa College of Surgeons, and  the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria under the auspices of the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of  Nigeria (MDCAN) was conducted. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The data were analyzed  using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.

Results: Push factors promoting the emigration of doctors identified in this study included the occurrence of armed conflict (66.0%), the  inadequacy of job opportunities (69.7%), poor remuneration (69.7%) as well as the need to improve professional skills (82.4%). Pull factors  supporting the emigration of the doctors included the need for better prospects for their professional practice (65.1%) and their  children (84.9%), better remuneration (87.4%), and the assurance of better security (76.1%). Availability of incentives (82.4%), as well as  improved security (85.3%) among other factors, were identified as being effective in retaining Nigeria’s health workforce.

Conclusion:  The problem of doctors’ emigration from Nigeria persists and is fueled by various factors that need to be addressed urgently for  improving the retention of the country’s health workforce. It is recommended that a holistic approach confronting issues of training,  availability of an enabling environment as well as the professional progression of doctors be adopted in tackling this emigration problem.