Migration and Recruitment of Healthcare Professionals: Causes, Consequences and Policy Responses
Healthcare systems around the world are in crisis. This policy brief begins by describing the extent of world-wide labour shortages in the healthcare sector as well as some general trends in the migration of healthcare workers. It then continues with a brief discussion of the factors which cause and influence this movement. It then addresses the costs and benefits of the migration of healthcare workers, in both the sending and receiving countries. Finally, the brief presents some policy options which could be implemented by sending and receiving countries in order to mitigate the negative consequences of migration in this sector while balancing the rights and the needs of the main actors involved: healthcare professionals, developed countries and developing countries. (Published 8/2007)