Reintegration of returning migrant healthcare workers into the Philippine workforce: A qualitative case study

ABSTRACT

AIM@#This study aims to explore the reintegration experiences of returning migrant healthcare workers in the Philippines.@*BACKGROUND@#Return migration and reintegration of healthcare labor force is a relevant part of the migration process valuable in the improvement of human capital in source countries through transfer of knowledge and skills. However, this research field has received little attention in terms of policy, program, and research development. Hence, there is a paucity of information in the Philippines describing the reintegration experiences of returning migrant healthcare workers despite its maturity in health worker migration.@*METHODS@# A qualitative case study approach was utilized in this study. Initially, an online literature review of electronic databases and grey literature regarding reintegration of migrant workers in the Philippines was performed. This was followed by online in- depth interviews among purposively selected potential, current, or returning nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and caregiver health worker migrants through Zoom web conferencing platform. Government, private, and non-government institutions involved in the migration of health workers were also invited to participate in online focus group discussions and key informant interviews. An inductive content analysis using matrices was utilized to determine relevant descriptive codes, categories, and themes.@*RESULTS@#Return migration and reintegration is perceived as an uncommon phenomenon among healthcare worker migrants. Nonetheless, motivations and grounds of opting to return and reintegrate in the Philippines can mostly be due to personal reasons or entrepreneurial aspirations. Upon return, they successfully held teaching and training positions, engaged in business through specialized clinics, or established professional associations. There was largely a perceived lack of awareness of government efforts on reintegration as it was felt that services and assistance were limited. Further observed restraints to return migration include lower wages in the Philippines, lack of knowledge on financial management, paucity of skills and qualifications recognition acquired overseas in their home country, and absence of professional network support. The COVID-19 pandemic also positively or negatively influenced healthcare worker migration.@*CONCLUSION@#This study highlighted the motivations and restraints of health worker migrants in returning to reintegrate in the Philippines. The availability and deficiency in policies, programs, and services for returning migrant workers were also emphasized. In addition, the aspects and prospects of return migration and reintegration, as well as the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare worker reintegration was identified. The Philippine government and other concerned agencies need to ensure a supportive environment that will foster a positively conducive reintegration experience for returning healthcare worker migrants.