[Physicians' workforce and the current impact of international migration in Hungary].

UNLABELLED

After 1989, as a result of the free international migration, there were significant changes in the physicians' workforce of Hungary. Nevertheless, the real breakthrough happened only after 1 May, 2004, when Hungary joined the European Union. The last free market restrictions imposed by Austria and Germany (on the new member states who joined in 2004) were lifted on 1 May, 2011.

AIMS

Since no scientific or comprehensive evaluation dealt with the physicians' recent migration after 2004, let alone the day-to-day mass media communication, this study presents and analyses the changes between 1 January, 2006 and 31 December, 2010.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the health care administration and by the national demographic statistics.

RESULTS

It is clearly indicated that Hungary lost about 3,900 physicians in the course of these 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

There is clear evidence of a disturbed workforce balance and it must be taken into account that without any measures a serious lack of doctors will emerge in the following 1-2 years.