Understanding Migration Intentions of Albanian Physicians and Nurses

Area of Science:

• Healthcare policy
• Medical migration
• Public health workforce

Background:

• Since 1991, Albania has experienced significant emigration of healthcare professionals.
• This migration impacts the national healthcare system.
• Understanding migration intentions is crucial for retention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate migration intentions among Albanian physicians and nurses.
• To identify factors influencing their inclination to emigrate to Western countries.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 315 healthcare professionals from Fier and Vlore.
• Utilized a structured, culturally adapted questionnaire assessing migration intention, social worth, teamwork climate, and financial dissatisfaction.
• High internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.885) was reported for the questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Moderate-to-high migration intentions were observed, especially among younger professionals with less experience and those in high-stress departments.
• Significant associations found between migration intention and age, ward of employment, and financial dissatisfaction (p < 0.01).
• Dissatisfaction with income, professional growth, perceived social worth, and teamwork climate were linked to higher emigration intentions.

Conclusions:

• Financial dissatisfaction and demanding work settings are key drivers of healthcare professional migration.
• Policy measures such as improved remuneration, career development, and work environment enhancements can mitigate brain drain.
• Implementing targeted retention strategies can improve job satisfaction and financial stability for Albanian healthcare workers.