title: Migration intentions of Ghanaian medical students: the influence of existing funding mechanisms of medical education ("the fee factor").
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To explore the effects of fee paying status on migration intentions of Ghanaian medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional questionnaire based survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  All established Ghanaian medical schools with students in their clinical years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fee-paying and non-fee-paying Ghanaian medical students in their clinical years.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  METHODS
  Migration intentions of Ghanaian medical students after graduation, Allegiance to Government of Ghana.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately half (49%) of the medical students surveyed had intentions of migrating after school. Over 48% of those with migration intentions plan on doing so immediately after completing their house job, while 44% plan to migrate at least one year after their house job. The most popular destination chosen by the potential migrant doctors was North America (38%). Fee-paying students were significantly more likely (OR=2.11, CI=1.32, 3.38) than non-fee-paying students to have intentions of migrating after their training. Secondly, fee-paying students were more likely (OR=9.66, CI=4.42, 21.12) than non-fee paying students to feel they owe no allegiance to the Government of Ghana because of their fee-paying status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical Students' fee-paying status affects their intentions to migrate and their allegiance to the country after completion of their training.
authors: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Eliason
authors: School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Tuoyire
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Awusi-Nti
authors: Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Science, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors: A S
authors: AS
authors: Bockarie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000191:economics*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Migration intention; allegiance; fee paying; medical students