Abstract
The debate about the effect of health worker migration on the health systems of developing countries has moved on from an over-simplistic ‘brain drain’ argu- ment to a recognition of a more nuanced and complex picture. Recognition has also been growing that a range of factors must be considered when assessing the effect of health worker migration. These include the rights of individuals to move, the possibility of international mobility providing work for unem- ployed professionals or career development, and the possible financial benefit to source countries of remittances sent home by migrant health professionals. The argument that we need a more ethical or considered approach to interna- tional recruitment that can mitigate any negative effects continues to resonate. Media reports, articles, and online chat rooms continue to spotlight examples of ‘unethical’ recruitment practice, and highlight the impact on low-income countries of losing scarce health professionals through out-migration.
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© 2015 James Buchan
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Buchan, J. (2015). Health Worker Migration in Context. In: Kuhlmann, E., Blank, R.H., Bourgeault, I.L., Wendt, C. (eds) The Palgrave International Handbook of Healthcare Policy and Governance. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137384935_21
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137384935_21
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