Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore intentions, motivations and country preferences related with professional emigration in a sample of advanced medical students. DESIGN: Cross sectional and descriptive study. SETTING: 11 Universities in Spain. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 740 students in their two final courses. PRIMARY MEASUREMENTS: 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.