The doctor is out: physician brain drain in the three medical schools (1960-2013).

Abstract

For a country known for its abundant labor force, it is puzzling how it still finds itself with doctorless towns and municipalities. This says a lot about the health human resource management of the country. It also points to a deep-rooted problem of physician exportation. Since the 1960s, the Philippines has seen a large number of physicians seeking for better opportunities abroad. Through the years, different waves of physician outmigration have occurred with similar results: worsening of the country's health situation. Different factors can be attributed to a lot of doctors going abroad such as better economic opportunities abroad, professional growth, and peaceful political situation, to name a few. Another reason is the orientation of medical education in the Philippines. UPCM, UST and UERM have been around since the first wave of physician outmigration. Their differences in character and management mean different rates in physician retention. Despite UPCM being a public university, it still suffers from a high physician outmigration rate. This has led them to institute the Return Service Obligation Program and Regionalization Program which requires their graduates to stay in the country for a number of years. Rather than contracts which oblige graduates to stay, what needs to be changed is the orientation of medical education. It must be community-oriented and geared for the needs of the country. The overall health care situation as a whole must also be improved to encourage doctors to stay in the country.