Investigating determinants of brain drain of health care professionals in developing countries: A review

Abstract

Developing countries continue to lose a significant number of health care professionals to developed countries. Malawi is not an exception. Without health workers, health care cannot be delivered. The study assesses the determinants of brain drain of health care professionals in developing countries, the case of Malawi health sector. Health care professionals in developing countries suffer from low wages, unbearable working and living conditions in their country of origin and seek elsewhere for better salaries, safer working conditions, better living conditions and a better life. This has for several years created a brain drain of skilled labour from where it is most needed, leaving already fragile health systems even more vulnerable. However, the study finds that so far, too little attention has been paid to organizational factors that influence brain drain. This study presents insights on determinants of brain drain among health care professionals from developing countries to developed countries. The paper contributes to the understanding of main factors that influence brain drain in a developing context environment. To this end, the study informs public sector managers and policy makers the need to address these factors if they are to curb brain drain in developing countries.

Keywords: Brain drain, migration, developing countries, health sector.