title: First- and fifth-year medical students' intention for emigration and practice abroad: a case study of Serbia.
abstract: Health worker migration is causing profound health, safety, social, economic and political challenges to countries without special policies for health professionals' mobility. This study describes the prevalence of migration intentions among medical undergraduates, identifies underlying factors related to migration intention and describes subsequent actions in Serbia. Data were captured by survey of 938 medical students from Belgrade University (94% response rate), representing two thirds of matching students in Serbia stated their intentions, reasons and obstacles regarding work abroad. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and a sequential multivariate logistic regression. Based on descriptive and inferential statistics we were able to predict the profile of first and fifth year medical students who intend or have plans to work abroad. This study contributes to our understanding of the causes and correlates of intent to migrate and could serve to raise awareness and point to the valuable policy options to manage migration.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; Centre - School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: msantric@med.bg.ac.rs.
authors.forename: Milena M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Santric-Milicevic
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; Centre - School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Zorica J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Terzic-Supic
authors.affiliation: Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; Centre - School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Pasterova 2, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Bojana R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Matejic
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics and Mathematics, Faculty of Economics University of Belgrade, Kamenicka 6, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vasic
authors.affiliation: Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, 725 M.L. King Blvd CB 7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Ricketts
mesh_terms: D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005550:Foreign Medical Graduates / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D055771:Serbia; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Emigration; Human resources; Intention; Medical students; Motivation; Salaries and fringe benefits; Serbia