MIGRATION INTENTIONS OF FINAL YEAR STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA MEDICAL SCHOOL

ABSTRACT

The migration of health professionals after completion of medical school causes the health system in Ghana to be less resourced in terms of human capital. The role of doctors is very essential in health care delivery as it is reflective in the quality of services given. It is in view of this that the study was done to find out the migration intentions of final year medical students and the factors that influence their intentions. The research further identifies some of the retention strategies by the Ghana Health Service. In order to concretize and objectify the discussion, a case study was conducted taking the particular situation of the University of Ghana Medical School. Data was collected using the mix method of data collection. The study purposively selected all students (150) of the final year class. Students filled a questionnaire on their migration intentions and this was followed by an in depth interview with 10 students based on their availability and willingness to be interviewed to understand the factors that influence their intentions. The study revealed that majority (70.4%) of the final year medical students had intention to emigrate after completion of their studies. Three main reasons accounted for their desire to move out of Ghana, these are poor economic conditions (0.78), cost of living in Ghana (0.64) and poor working conditions (0.64). They were however attracted to foreign countries mainly due to quality of life abroad (0.86), standard of living abroad (0.85) and better opportunities for family abroad (0.76). Nevertheless, the decision to move out of the country could be hindered by certification (0.80), obligatory work commitments after community service (0.51) and government policies in destination countries (0.68). Some of the strategies put in place to improve retention of doctors include improvement of salaries and improved conditions of service. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that retention is likely to be successful when salaries are improved coupled with a stable economic conditions.