Brain Drain in Romania: Factors Influencing Physicians’ Emigration

Brain drain in the medical sector is not a new phenomenon, Romania facing this issue since the fall of the communism. Before the integration in the European Union, the warning of an acceleration of the phenomenon was raised, but, until today, no measures were adopted in order to diminish the exodus. Between 2007 and 2010, 8131 medical doctors leaved the country. With some of the poorest health indicators among EU countries, Romania cannot afford to lose more physicians. The first step in the attempt of stemming the emigration of medical doctors is the identification of the reasons behind it. This study aims to identify the main determinants of the decision to emigrate. The research design includes literature review and a questionnaire which was distributed among Romanian physicians with an international work experience. The conclusions confirm one more time that the gap in levels of payment between Romania and destination countries is not the most important cause of migration. Although this gap is significant, a policy measure proposing the increase of the physicians’ salaries would not solve the emigration issue. The main reasons behind the decision to emigrate are the working conditions and the availability of facilities. Opportunities for career development and continuing education instigate Romanian physicians to emigrate. Economic and political stability or personal factors have a lesser influence. The major preoccupation among policy makers in the health system should gravitate around the implementation of a set of adequate measures to stem the emigration.