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Private sector contributions and their effect on physician emigration in the developing world
Lawrence C Loh1, Cesar Ugarte-Gil, Kwame Darko
1Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Sixth Floor, Toronto, ON, M4S 1A7, Canada. lloh@jhsph.edu
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|March 12, 2013
Summary
Increased private healthcare in low-income countries may reduce physician emigration. This study found that a larger private sector and financing were linked to fewer doctors leaving, suggesting a potential solution for brain drain.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Public Health Policy
- International Health
Background:
- Physician emigration from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is a growing concern.
- The expanding private healthcare sector in LMICs warrants investigation into its impact on national health systems.
- Understanding factors influencing physician emigration is crucial for retaining healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between private healthcare sector contribution and physician emigration from LMICs.
- To determine if private healthcare delivery and financing influence the rate of physicians leaving their home countries.
- To provide insights for policymakers aiming to mitigate physician brain drain.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from emerging economies including Ghana, India, and Peru.
- Examining the proportion of physicians in private healthcare delivery.
- Assessing public healthcare financing percentages and private healthcare financing per capita.
Main Results:
- An inverse relationship was observed between physician participation in private healthcare and physician expatriation.
- Higher public healthcare financing percentages correlated with lower physician emigration.
- Increased private healthcare financing per capita was also inversely related to physician emigration levels.
Conclusions:
- Private healthcare delivery and financing may serve as a deterrent to physician emigration from LMICs.
- Further research in diverse LMICs is needed to validate these findings.
- Investigating the equity implications of private healthcare is essential for comprehensive policy development.
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