The role of calling in medical students' migration intention

A sense of calling-defined as viewing work as a meaningful contribution to society-has been linked to job satisfaction and overall well-being. In medicine, this intrinsic motivation may interact with systemic challenges and influence physicians' career trajectories, including their desire to work abroad.

To examine the relationship between medical students' sense of calling and their willingness to work abroad, comparing first- and final-year students.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at a Turkish medical school in 2024. A total of 278 students (140 first-year, 138 final-year) completed a structured online questionnaire. The survey included socio-demographic characteristics, perceptions of the medical profession, intention to work abroad, and the Turkish version of the Calling and Vocation Questionnaire (CVQ). Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were conducted, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

More than half (56.8%) of students expressed a desire to work abroad, primarily citing a higher quality of life and income. First-year students reported significantly higher interest in working abroad and marginally higher "presence of calling" scores than final-year students. Dissatisfaction with the healthcare system and anticipated income were significantly associated with the intention to migrate. The presence of calling was slightly, though not significantly, higher among students intending to relocate.

Medical students' vocational ideals decline over time, influenced by systemic dissatisfaction and perceived limitations within the national healthcare system. Addressing structural barriers in medical education and professional practice is essential to preserving professional motivation and mitigating physician migration.