Migration and healthcare professionals in the public sector in Kosovo
Migration and healthcare professionals in the public sector in Kosovo

Summary/Abstract: This study examines the migration of healthcare professionals in Kosovo, emphasizing trends and motivations following the EU and Switzerland's visa liberalization in January 2024. A survey of 50 specialist doctors and 50 nurses from the University Clinical Center of Kosovo and General Hospitals reveals a high intent to emigrate, particularly among nurses (72%) compared to doctors (34%). Key drivers include inadequate salaries, poor working conditions, limited health insurance, career stagnation, and personal well-being. Younger professionals (18-30) show the highest inclination to migrate, with male nurses displaying stronger emigration tendencies. Social influences affect migration intentions, with 82% of nurses and 58% of doctors citing family encouragement. Preferred destinations like Germany and Switzerland offer supportive healthcare systems and competitive compensation. The study contextualizes these findings within Brain Drain Theory, Push-Pull Theory, and World Systems Theory, highlighting systemic deficiencies in Kosovo’s healthcare sector. Urgent policy reforms are needed to enhance financial incentives, working conditions, and career growth opportunities to retain healthcare talent and mitigate brain drain.

• Details
• Contents