Physician Brain Drain in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Career Plans of Rwanda's Future Doctors

Abstract

Introduction: Brain drain is defined as the migration of health personnel in search of the better standard of living and quality of life, higher salaries, access to advanced technology and more stable political conditions. Methods: A novel survey was created and distributed to 97 sixth year medical students in Rwanda. The survey queried respondents regarding their likelihood to work abroad or to seek opportunities within NGO’s to evaluate the impact of internal and external brain drain. The data were tabulated and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. Results: More than half of students reported a strong desire to study or work abroad. When asked about employment and training after medical school, 29% answered that they will seek opportunities outside Rwanda. When asked on the will to work for NGOs/Public health oriented organization, 64.9% responded that they would do it collaboratively but still practice medicine. Respondents reported financial opportunity as the fifth motivations for their potential desire to depart from clinical care of patients if such opportunities emerged. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that internal brain drain (work for NGO’s) may potentially coexist alongside and external or international brain drain as an important contributing factor in the shortage of medical doctors in Rwanda and Sub-Saharan Africa.