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

Nora Murataj, Blerim Syla, Yllka Krasniqi, Shegë Bahtiri, Dardan Bekaj, Petrit Beqiri () and Ilir S. Hoxha
Additional contact information
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

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-11

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; migration; healthcare workers; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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