Causes of physician migration: responses of Iranian physicians in the United States

Each of the 2,270 Iranian physicians listed by the American Medical Association as residing in the United States in 1973 was sent a questionnaire in which he was asked whether or not he intended to return to Iran, his reasons for not returning if he did not intend to return and other questions concerning his history and present status. A total 760 questionnaires were returned. The results indicated that age, level of training, martial status, and previous practice in Iran were all related to intention to return, although whether or not the physician had returned to Iran on a visit was not an important factor. The most frequently cited reasons for not returning were professional reasons, particularly lack of medical facilities and equipment in Iran.