title: Comparison of British and French expatriate doctors' characteristics and motivations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyse the migration of doctors between the UK and France, in an attempt to identify the reasons for these migrations.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study conducted using a self-completed questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  The questionnaire was sent to all British doctors practising in France and to all French doctors practising in the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  The doctors were identified, thanks to official data of the National Medical Councils. There were 244 French doctors practising in the UK and 86 British doctors practising in France.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was specifically developed for the study to determine the reasons why doctors moved to the other country and their level of satisfaction with regard to their expatriation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 98 French doctors (of 244) and 40 British doctors (of 86) returned the questionnaire. The motivations of the two studied populations were different: French doctors were attracted by the conditions offered by the National Health Service, whereas British doctors were more interested in opportunities for career advancement, moved to join a husband or wife or to benefit from favourable environmental conditions. Overall, the doctors who responded considered the expatriation a satisfactory experience. After expatriation, 84% of French doctors were satisfied with their new professional situation compared with only 58% of British doctors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study, which is the first of its kind and based on representative samples, has led to a clearer understanding of the migration of doctors between France and the UK.
authors.affiliation: Service de Biostatistique et Informatique Médicale,  CHU, de Dijon,  France.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Quantin
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hagi
authors.forename: Gwenaelle Le
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Breton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romestaing
authors.forename: Dider
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carnet