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COVID-19 and doctor emigration: the case of Ireland.
Humphries, Niamh; Creese, Jennifer; Byrne, John-Paul; Connell, John.
  • Humphries N; Research Department, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. niamhhumphries@rcpi.ie.
  • Creese J; Research Department, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Byrne JP; Research Department, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Connell J; School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Hum Resour Health ; 19(1): 29, 2021 03 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1115227
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Since the 2008 recession, Ireland has experienced large-scale doctor emigration. This paper seeks to ascertain whether (and how) the COVID-19 pandemic might disrupt or reinforce existing patterns of doctor emigration.

METHOD:

This paper draws on qualitative interviews with 31 hospital doctors in Ireland, undertaken in June-July 2020. As the researchers were subject to a government mandated work-from-home order at that time, they utilised Twitter™ to contact potential respondents (snowball sampling); and conducted interviews via Zoom™ or telephone.

FINDINGS:

Two cohorts of doctors were identified; COVID Returners (N = 12) and COVID Would-be Emigrants (N = 19). COVID Returners are Irish-trained emigrant doctors who returned to Ireland in March 2020, just as global travel ground to a halt. They returned to be closer to home and in response to a pandemic-related recruitment call issued by the Irish government. COVID Would-be Emigrants are hospital doctors considering emigration. Some had experienced pandemic-related disruptions to their emigration plans as a result of travel restrictions and border closures. However, most of the drivers of emigration mentioned by respondents related to underlying problems in the Irish health system rather than to the pandemic, i.e. a culture of medical emigration, poor working conditions and the limited availability of posts in the Irish health system. DISCUSSION/

CONCLUSION:

This paper illustrates how the pandemic intensified and reinforced, rather than radically altered, the dynamics of doctor emigration from Ireland. Ireland must begin to prioritise doctor retention and return by developing a coherent policy response to the underlying drivers of doctor emigration.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Physicians / Professional Practice Location / Attitude of Health Personnel / Emigration and Immigration / Pandemics / COVID-19 / Job Satisfaction Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Hum Resour Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12960-021-00573-4

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Physicians / Professional Practice Location / Attitude of Health Personnel / Emigration and Immigration / Pandemics / COVID-19 / Job Satisfaction Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Limits: Adult / Humans Country/Region as subject: Europa Language: English Journal: Hum Resour Health Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12960-021-00573-4