Increasing Trend of Studying Abroad for Residency Training Among Medical Students

Physician emigration from developing and underdeveloped countries to developed countries is a growing problem that is taking place in current times and is an obstacle in achieving global health. Social circumstances, economic demands, as well as modern medical technologies and desire to pursue better career opportunities, are all driving factors for medical graduates’ emigration. This study investigates Turkish medical students’ intentions of pursuing residency training abroad and explores associated factors that play a significant role in instilling the tendency of moving overseas. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey. Students’ future specialty intentions, preferred country for residency training, and the contributing factors in their decisions were questioned via an online survey questionnaire. Out of 617 students included in the study analysis, 183 (29.7%) expressed their desire for going abroad for residency training and Germany, United States of America, United Kingdom, and Canada were the top preferred destinations where 40 (25.3%) reported planning to stay permanently. Mother’s level of education and student’s training/ understanding of advanced levels of any foreign language were found significantly associated with the developed intention of going abroad for residency training. Qualitative analysis revealed better “living standards/conditions” was the most frequently uttered reason for studying abroad. It’s vital to know reasons out why medical school graduates want to go to another country. A better understanding of this issue will aid in developing actions to reduce the proclivity of medical graduates to relocate.