Factors Related to Patient Migration from Kerman Province to Yazd for Receiving Inpatient Services

Migration of patients from Kerman province to Yazd city is an old issue that despite Kerman’s health care system improvements is still continuing. The elimination or decrease of probable problems of the health care system and consequently decreasing patients' motivation for receiving health services in other provinces requires studies about the factors related to these migrations.

This was a cross-sectional descriptive and applied study. Data were gathered in January and May 2015 from two private and one public hospital of Yazd. In the quantitative part of the research, using international classification of diseases codes, disease groups with the highest patients' migrations were found; and using Spearman test, the relation between geographical distance and patient migration was investigated. Then, in the qualitative part of the research, migration reasons were asked through phone call interviews.

Most migrations occurred in groups of neoplastic, circulatory and digestive diseases. Geographical distance and the number of migrants of each county showed a relatively strong negative significant relation. Migration reasons were classified in 3 main themes including Yazd health care characteristics, Kerman health care characteristics and characteristics of the patients.

In order to prevent patients’ migration for the purpose of receiving services that are available in their own province or at least in the province capital, the quality of services should be addressed. Paying attention to health services costs and welfare facilities for patient attendants is important in reducing unjustified migrations.