title: Push and stay factors affecting Irish medical student migration intentions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A significant proportion of medical students in Ireland have demonstrated strong intentions to migrate following their graduation. Factors influencing these intentions are poorly understood. Our study aimed to investigate 'push' and 'stay' factors that may influence the migration plans of medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey of 2273 medical students in Ireland using a mixed methods approach. Survey was completed by 2273 medical students, of which 263 provided free text data that are analysed in this paper.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Identified push factors include negative perception regarding career opportunities, working conditions and lifestyle, while family was the only identified strong stay factor. Qualitative analysis of free text responses revealed themes that included training, career, personal and financial factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has provided insight into the factors that influence medical student migration intentions. There is a strong need for all stakeholders to collectively discuss and engage in possible solutions.
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. gouda.pishoy@gmail.com.|University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. gouda.pishoy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Pishoy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gouda
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Galway, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitt
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Merlin Park Hospital, HSE West, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Merlin Park Hospital, HSE West, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goggin
authors.affiliation: University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Deirdre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Last
authors.affiliation: Education Division, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hennessy
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arnett
authors.affiliation: University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Siun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Flynn
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS), National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Fidelma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Diarmuid
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Donovan
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007494:Ireland; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Emigration; Medical education; Medical student; Qualitative evaluation