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Factors Affecting Migration Intentions of Polish Physiotherapists and Students of Physiotherapy—A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Daria Kostrzewa

    (Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, Poland)

  • Joanna Bonior

    (Department of Medical Physiology, Chair of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-126 Krakow, Poland)

  • Maciej Polak

    (Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, Poland)

  • Alicja Domagała

    (Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-066 Krakow, Poland)

Abstract

The phenomenon of professional migrations in the healthcare sector may exacerbate the problem of health workforce shortages. The scale of migration of medical personnel in Poland is estimated mainly on the certificates issued by the regional chambers confirming qualifications that grant the legal right to practice in other EU countries. Migrations concern also physiotherapists, who are the third largest group of health professionals. However, the problem of this phenomenon has not been assessed, and there is a lack of research in this area. The aim of the study was to compare the intention of migration among practicing physiotherapists and students in the last two years of master’s studies in physiotherapy, as well as to identify the factors affecting their intentions to migrate. The study covered practicing physiotherapists and students in the last two years of master’s studies in the field of physiotherapy in Poland. A total of 236 respondents took part in the study, including 119 physiotherapists and 117 students of physiotherapy. The tool used for the study was an online questionnaire. The scale of the intention to migrate was estimated at 45.3% among students and 47.1% in the group of practicing physiotherapists. The most frequently indicated destination countries for the migration of physiotherapy students and practicing physiotherapists were Germany, Norway, Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom. In both studied groups, the pull factors with the greatest impact on the intention to migrate were the possibility of obtaining higher earnings and working in better infrastructural conditions. In turn, the most important push factors turned out to be the low prestige of the profession in Poland, limited prospects for professional advancement and the stressful work environment. The respondents most often indicated separation from loved ones and poor command of foreign languages as significant barriers to professional migration. Both students of physiotherapy and practicing physiotherapists show great interest in the intention of professional migration, and the decisive determinant is economic factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Daria Kostrzewa & Joanna Bonior & Maciej Polak & Alicja Domagała, 2022. "Factors Affecting Migration Intentions of Polish Physiotherapists and Students of Physiotherapy—A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14556-:d:964677
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ferreira, Pedro L. & Raposo, Vitor & Tavares, Aida Isabel & Correia, Tiago, 2020. "Drivers for emigration among healthcare professionals: Testing an analytical model in a primary healthcare setting," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 124(7), pages 751-757.
    2. Glinos, Irene A., 2015. "Health professional mobility in the European Union: Exploring the equity and efficiency of free movement," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(12), pages 1529-1536.
    3. Foo, Jonathan S. & Storr, Michael & Maloney, Stephen, 2016. "Registration factors that limit international mobility of people holding physiotherapy qualifications: A systematic review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(6), pages 665-673.
    4. Alicja Domagała & Marcin Kautsch & Aleksandra Kulbat & Kamila Parzonka, 2022. "Exploration of Estimated Emigration Trends of Polish Health Professionals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-18, January.
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