Medical Student Intentions to Move Abroad: A UK-Based Realist Evaluation

This original research is a realist evaluation on medical students intentions to move abroad. Through realist methodology and interviews the study that took place in one university in the South West produced a programme theory depicting the contexts and mechanisms that influence medical students' intentions to move abroad or not. The final findings also include recommendations to retain medical students post-qualification. The findings are intended to be generalisable to different healthcare professions and different institutional contexts.

Extract from Introduction

Retention of healthcare staff is an international challenge of critical importance. While the most substantial workforce shortages are reported in low-income nations, pressures are mounting across high-income nations. For example, in 2023 the United Kingdom (UK) National Health Service (NHS) reported a vacancy rate of 8.0% and an overall medical vacancy rate of 5.8%, not accounting for substantive vacancies filled by temporary staff. These deficits may result in poorer patient outcomes, longer waiting lists and decreased staff satisfaction.

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