Human resources for health
Briefing note on international migration of health professionals: levelling the playing field for developing country health systems
Impact on developing countries due to the mass migration of their health professionals to richer countries
Authors:
T. Martineau; K. Decker; P. Bundred
Publisher:
Health Sector Reform Research Work Programme, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine , 2002
The international movement of labour is greatest amongst those with a high level of skill. Health professionals form the biggest group of skilled migrants. This is facilitated by the fact that within the profession there is a globally shared knowledge base.
This paper attempts to provide increased clarity upon the key issues surrounding the international migration of health professionals from developing countries and the resultant impact on health services.
Initially providing an overview of the extent of the knowledge base upon the impact of international migration by health workers, the paper produced by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) Sector Reform Knowledge Programme, then explores contemporary influences on migration and finally examines policy issues relating to different levels and different stakeholder groups.
The paper concludes by acknowledging the negative impact upon health services in developing countries caused by the mass recruitment of their health care professionals by richer nations.
