Fletcher-Nkile Leilanie, Mrara Busisiwe, Oladimeji Olanrewaju
Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5099, South Africa.
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5099, South Africa.
Healthcare (Basel). 2022 Oct 29;10(11):2165. doi: 10.3390/healthcare10112165.
The anaesthetic workforce is a scarce resource in South Africa (SA), and the media frequently reports that anaesthetists are leaving the country in search of better opportunities in well-resourced countries. The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing the migration intentions of South African anaesthetists.
This study utilised a qualitative methodology in the form of virtual interviews. A total of 23 interviews were conducted on purposefully selected participants using a snowball approach. The interviews were transcribed and coded into emerging themes using MAXQDA version 2022. Thematic content analysis was subsequently performed.
The study found that all SA-based participants were considering emigrating, while those who had already emigrated had no plans to return to SA in the near future. Push factors prompted the consideration of emigration, and these were related to unsatisfactory living and working conditions in South Africa, such as a high level of crime and corruption, and the country's overall poor resources and infrastructure. Destination countries were chosen based on their pull factors such as better working conditions and opportunities for professional growth. These pull factors frequently outweighed South Africa's push factors and are therefore critical in the decision to emigrate. The main recommendations from the participants include facilitating collaboration between the public and private sectors, expanding the available sub-specialties in SA, and recognising fellowships in South African hospitals. The study participants were of the view that South African anaesthesiologists would be motivated to stay by a combination of patriotism and hope for the future. Conclusions and Policy Recommendations: The Anaesthetic workforce in South Africa is at critical risk and is unlikely to stabilise soon. Concerted efforts should be made by all concerned to explore ways of retaining the staff, considering the recommendations of the participants. Relevant key stakeholders in training and regulation of anaesthetics practice such as the Health Professions Council of South Africa, South African Society of Anaesthesiologists, and the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa should collaborate and prioritise mechanisms of monitoring emigration and intervening on modifiable professional and socio-political factors.
麻醉专业人员在南非是一种稀缺资源，媒体经常报道麻醉师离开该国，前往资源丰富的国家寻求更好的机会。本研究的目的是探讨影响南非麻醉师移民意向的因素。
本研究采用虚拟访谈的定性方法。通过滚雪球的方式，对23名经过有目的挑选的参与者进行了访谈。访谈内容被转录，并使用MAXQDA 2022软件编码为新出现的主题。随后进行了主题内容分析。
研究发现，所有在南非的参与者都在考虑移民，而那些已经移民的人近期没有返回南非的计划。推动因素促使他们考虑移民，这些因素与南非不尽人意的生活和工作条件有关，比如高犯罪率和腐败现象，以及该国整体资源和基础设施的匮乏。目的国是根据其吸引因素来选择的，比如更好的工作条件和职业发展机会。这些吸引因素往往超过了南非的推动因素，因此在移民决策中至关重要。参与者提出的主要建议包括促进公共部门和私营部门之间的合作、扩大南非现有的亚专业领域，以及认可南非医院的奖学金。研究参与者认为，爱国主义和对未来的希望相结合会促使南非麻醉师留下来。结论和政策建议：南非的麻醉专业人员面临着严峻风险，短期内不太可能实现稳定。所有相关方应共同努力，根据参与者的建议探索留住员工的方法。麻醉实践培训和监管方面的相关关键利益攸关方，如南非卫生专业人员委员会、南非麻醉师协会和南非医学院，应开展合作，并优先考虑监测移民情况以及针对可改变的专业和社会政治因素进行干预的机制。
