To read this content please select one of the options below:

The changing patterns of physician migration from Zimbabwe since 1990

Abel Chikanda (Postdoctoral Fellow at the Southern African Research Centre, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada)

International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care

ISSN: 1747-9894

Article publication date: 23 May 2011

224

Abstract

Purpose

The paper seeks to investigate the leading causes of physician migration from Zimbabwe and to highlight the patterns of physician migration over the past‐two decades.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach, involving a survey and interviews, was used to collect data for the study.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that personal networks, not recruitment agencies, are the main drivers of physician migration from the country. However, the importance of recruitment agencies as channels of information about job opportunities abroad has grown substantially over the last decade. The research findings suggest that Zimbabwe will continue losing physicians to other countries until economic and political stability has been restored in the country.

Originality/value

By highlighting the patterns and causes of physician migration from Zimbabwe, the paper makes a contribution to the implementation of policy measures aimed at retaining physicians in the country.

Keywords

Citation

Chikanda, A. (2011), "The changing patterns of physician migration from Zimbabwe since 1990", International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 77-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/17479891111180057

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles