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Human Resources for Health
Published in: Human Resources for Health 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | COVID-19 | Research

COVID-19 and doctor emigration: the case of Ireland

Authors: Niamh Humphries, Jennifer Creese, John-Paul Byrne, John Connell

Published in: Human Resources for Health | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Since the 2008 recession, Ireland has experienced large-scale doctor emigration. This paper seeks to ascertain whether (and how) the COVID-19 pandemic might disrupt or reinforce existing patterns of doctor emigration.

Method

This paper draws on qualitative interviews with 31 hospital doctors in Ireland, undertaken in June–July 2020. As the researchers were subject to a government mandated work-from-home order at that time, they utilised Twitter™ to contact potential respondents (snowball sampling); and conducted interviews via Zoom™ or telephone.

Findings

Two cohorts of doctors were identified; COVID Returners (N = 12) and COVID Would-be Emigrants (N = 19). COVID Returners are Irish-trained emigrant doctors who returned to Ireland in March 2020, just as global travel ground to a halt. They returned to be closer to home and in response to a pandemic-related recruitment call issued by the Irish government. COVID Would-be Emigrants are hospital doctors considering emigration. Some had experienced pandemic-related disruptions to their emigration plans as a result of travel restrictions and border closures. However, most of the drivers of emigration mentioned by respondents related to underlying problems in the Irish health system rather than to the pandemic, i.e. a culture of medical emigration, poor working conditions and the limited availability of posts in the Irish health system.

Discussion/conclusion

This paper illustrates how the pandemic intensified and reinforced, rather than radically altered, the dynamics of doctor emigration from Ireland. Ireland must begin to prioritise doctor retention and return by developing a coherent policy response to the underlying drivers of doctor emigration.
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Metadata
Title
COVID-19 and doctor emigration: the case of Ireland
Authors
Niamh Humphries
Jennifer Creese
John-Paul Byrne
John Connell
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
COVID-19
Published in
Human Resources for Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1478-4491
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-021-00573-4

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