Driving forces of GPs’ migration in Europe: an exploratory qualitative study

BACKGROUND: The shortage of GPs is a worldwide phenomenon, which encourages the migration of GPs and consequently exacerbates the GP shortage. This shortage imposes a threat for the entire healthcare system. AIM: To explore the driving forces of GPs' migration in Europe and their reasons to stay in the new country, to migrate further, or to return to their home country. DESIGN & SETTING: An exploratory, qualitative study of European GPs who have migrated within Europe. METHOD: Individual interviews were conducted until data saturation and audio-recordings were transcribed. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo. RESULTS: Fifteen interviews with GPs from eight different European countries were conducted. The reasons why European GPs migrate and decide to stay or to leave were grouped under the following three themes: professional development; personal reasons; and the situation in the home country or the organisation of health care. New professional challenges, better working environment, and higher quality training programmes were mentioned as the main reasons for migration. Personal reasons, such as family’s satisfaction with the living environment, closeness to other family members, and financial considerations, seemed to influence the decision to stay or leave the most. CONCLUSION: Migration caused by dissatisfaction with the working and living environment is something countries could potentially work on in order to retain their GPs. As some countries in Europe rely more and more on international recruitment to combat the GP shortage, which in turn worsens the situation in other countries, a more unified Europe-wide approach to GP shortage and migration is needed.