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Migration Intent of Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kosovo

Author

Listed:
  • Nora Murataj

    (Federata e Sindikatave të Shëndetësisë së Kosovës, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo)

  • Blerim Syla

    (Federata e Sindikatave të Shëndetësisë së Kosovës, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo)

  • Yllka Krasniqi

    (Federata e Sindikatave të Shëndetësisë së Kosovës, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo)

  • Shegë Bahtiri

    (Institute of South East Europe for Health and Social Policy, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo)

  • Dardan Bekaj

    (Institute of South East Europe for Health and Social Policy, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo)

  • Petrit Beqiri

    (Advanced Nursing Practices Department, Heimerer College, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo)

  • Ilir S. Hoxha

    (Research Unit, Heimerer College, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo
    Evidence Synthesis Group, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo
    The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA)

Abstract

The migration of healthcare workers from developing countries to more economically developed countries is a long-standing and ongoing trend. Loss of qualified staff due to migration can negatively impact healthcare systems. Understanding factors that drive migration is essential to identifying and managing health system needs. Our study explored factors related to the migration intent of healthcare staff in Kosovo, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. We carried out a cross-sectional survey of healthcare workers from public and private institutions. The survey analysed the prevalence of willingness to migrate and whether willingness was affected by the pandemic, and calculated crude and adjusted odds ratios for variables which may influence migration willingness. 14.43% of healthcare workers reported aspiration to migrate, and 23.68% reported an increased chance of migrating after the pandemic. Dissatisfaction with wages and working conditions, higher education and private sector engagement were associated with increased odds of migration willingness. After the pandemic, factors related to interpersonal relationships and state response gave lower odds of migration intent. These findings point to potential factors associated with the migration of healthcare workers, which can help policymakers address gaps in national health system strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Nora Murataj & Blerim Syla & Yllka Krasniqi & Shegë Bahtiri & Dardan Bekaj & Petrit Beqiri & Ilir S. Hoxha, 2022. "Migration Intent of Health Care Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kosovo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:11122-:d:907092
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gazmend Bojaj & Bernard Tahirbegolli & Petrit Beqiri & Iliriana Alloqi Tahirbegolli & Esther Van Poel & Sara Willems & Nderim Rizanaj & Ilir Hoxha, 2023. "Health Service Management and Patient Safety in Primary Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kosovo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Valentina Vasile & Elena Bunduchi & Daniel Stefan & Calin-Adrian Comes & Razvan Vasile & Anamari-Beatrice Stefan, 2023. "Are We Facing a Radical Change in the Migration Behavior of Medical Graduates from Less Developed Countries? Demographic Profile vs. Social Push Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Ilir Hoxha & Valid Apuk & Besfort Kryeziu & Premtim Rashiti & Mrika Aliu & Alejandro Gonzalez Aquines & Olga Khan & Ha Thi Hong Nguyen, 2023. "Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Kosovo: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.

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