title: [Emigrate or not? How would the next Spanish generation of physicians decide? A study on emigration-related reasons and motivations of advanced medical students in 11 Universities in Spain].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore intentions, motivations and country preferences related with professional emigration in a sample of advanced medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional and descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  11 Universities in Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 740 students in their two final courses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey used a self administered questionnaire asking about plans to emigrate, preferred destination countries and reasons for wishing to work abroad.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 740 valid questionnaires were collected, 711 (96%) from Spanish students and 26 (4%) from foreigner students. A preference to move abroad was indicated by 375 (51%) students, the most popular destinations being United Kingdom, USA, Canada and Portugal. The answers were classified using categories from "very important" to "not important". As a "very important" reason, "To work in a better health care system" was chosen by 276 students, "To continue with my medical education and training" by 160, "To work in an environment that allows me to progress" by 269, and "To earn a better salary" by 243 students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study illustrates various motivational factors which of why medical students wish to move abroad in search of better professional conditions. The use of appropriate interventions could modify these attitudes. This study could be a starting point for exploring and analyzing the conditions of undergraduate medical students in Spain as a key to address the problem of medical emigration.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, España. diegobernardini@usal.es
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bernardini-Zambrini
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barengo
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bardach
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: Juan Macias
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Núñez
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires