Background: Health workforce shortages could lead to burnout, excessive workload, dissatisfaction and consequently to migration. In Poland the exact scale of physician migration is unknown due to insufficient data.
Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey of physicians working in Polish hospitals was conducted between March and June 2018. 15 Polish hospitals were included in the study (7 general, 5 specialist, 3 university). The data was gathered via an on-line, self-administered questionnaire, sent to physicians working in the included hospitals. Associations between the intention to migrate and demographic characteristics as well as work-related variables and overall satisfaction were measured. Simple and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine significant predictors of migration.
Results: 1003 questionnaires were analyzed (response rate: 38%). 273 doctors declared the intention to migrate: 4.5% answering 'definitely yes' and 22.7% 'probably yes'. The main reasons were: higher earnings, better working conditions and better work-life balance abroad. Age and higher career satisfaction were negatively related to the intention to migrate: OR = 0.94 (95% CI 0,92-0,95) and OR = 0.44 (95% CI 0.34-0.56) respectively. Women were 54% less likely to intend to migrate than men (OR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.33-0.65). Almost 62% of physicians intending to migrate considered a temporary stay abroad.
Conclusions: Special attention should be paid to improving working conditions, including salary, but also reducing bureaucracy, improvement of work-climate and training opportunities.
Keywords: Health workforce; Hospitals; Job satisfaction; Migration intentions; Physicians.
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