Retention and Migration of Rwandan Anesthesiologists: A Qualitative Study

Health care professional migration continues to challenge countries where the lack of surgical and anesthesia specialists results in being unable to address the global burden of surgical disease in their populations. Medical migration is particularly damaging to health care systems that are just beginning to scale up capacity building of human resources for health. Anesthesiologists are scarce in low-resource settings. Defining reasons why anesthesiologists leave their country of training through in-depth interviews may provide guidance to policy makers and academic organizations on how to retain valuable health professionals.

There were 24 anesthesiologists eligible to participate in this qualitative interview study, 15 of whom are currently practicing in Rwanda and 9 had left the country. From the eligible group, interviews were conducted with 13 currently practicing in Rwanda and 2 who had left to practice elsewhere. In-depth interviews of approximately 60 minutes were used to define themes influencing retention and migration among anesthesiologists in Rwanda. Interviews were conducted using a semistructured guide and continued until theoretical sufficiency was reached. Thematic analysis was done by 4 members of the research team using open coding to inductively identify themes.

Interpretation of results used the framework categorizing themes into push, pull, stick, and stay to describe factors that influence migration, or the potential for migration, of anesthesiologists in Rwanda. While adequate salary is essential to retention of anesthesiologists in Rwanda, other factors such as lack of equipment and medication for safe anesthesia, isolation, and demoralization are strong push factors. Conversely, a rich academic life and optimism for the future encourage anesthesiologists to stay.

Our study suggests that better clinical resources and equipment, a more supportive community of practice, and advocacy by mentors and academic partners could encourage more staff anesthesiologists to stay and work in Rwanda.