An Investigation of Factors Associated with Emigration of the Health Workforce in Iran in 2022

Health workforce migration is one of the serious threats to the health system in Iran, which has grown significantly in recent years. The aim of the current research is to investigate factors associated with the emigration of human resources in the field of health in the year 2022.

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted using a survey method. The study population included students, faculty members, staff, and graduates of the Iranian universities of medical sciences. The study sample included 360 participants from medical universities involved by a non-probability, convenient sampling method. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire whose validity and reliability were evaluated and confirmed by a number of expert professors and experts in the field of health.

Out of a total of 360 participants, 170 were students and 190 were graduates or working in medical universities. 195 participants were female (54/2) and 165 were male (45/8). Associate and Bachelor’s degrees (n=118), Ph.D. (n=87), and general medical practitioner (n=77) had the largest share in the studied sample. The fields of medicine (n=89) and paramedicine (n=76) had the highest participation rate. 189  (52.5%) of the participants had a great desire to emigrate. 135 people (37.5%) of the participants even thought of working in non-specialized and lower jobs abroad. 108 people (30 %) planned to migrate or took practical action and had a definite schedule for emigration. Only 65 (18%) of the participants had the desire to return after emigration. Economic, managerial, and social welfare factors were identified as the most important factors associated with the emigration of the health workforce.

The desire to emigrate is very strong among students and health professionals, and many participants decide to emigrate due to economic and social issues. Solving the emigration problem requires a serious, comprehensive, and long-term commitment to the issue of elite management, structural and legislative reforms, meritocracy, and increasing hope in the academic community.