Alireza Heidari * 
, Amir Hesam Moojerloo , Nahid Jafari , Zahra Khatirnamani , Seyed Ghadir Hosseini
, Amir Hesam Moojerloo , Nahid Jafari , Zahra Khatirnamani , Seyed Ghadir Hosseini
Health Management and Social Development Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
Abstract: (44 Views)
IIntroduction and purpose: In recent years, the emigration of Iranian physicians has shown an upward trend, leading to significant challenges such as weakening the healthcare system, reducing access to care, increasing service waiting times, rising healthcare costs, and a loss of experienced faculty. This study aimed to evaluate migration intent and its association with demographic and academic characteristics among medical students at Golestan University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted in 2025 on 347 medical students at Golestan University of Medical Sciences, who were selected using stratified sampling with proportional allocation. The data collection instrument was the standard Migration Tendency Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 24, employing Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The mean age of participants was 23.79 ± 3.54 years, and the mean grade point average (GPA) was 16.04 ± 1.33. The majority of students were male (60.2%), single (76.9%), and in the basic sciences stage (30.0%). The overall mean score for migration intent was 3.86 ± 0.44. Students identified “origin-push factors” as the most influential driver of migration intent. Significant correlations were observed between migration intent and age (inverse, P=0.046, and GPA (direct, P=0.020). According to the results of multiple regression analysis, the marital status variable was a significant predictor of the tendency to migrate (β = -0.15 and P = 0.013).
Conclusion: The findings indicated that the tendency to migrate among medical students at Golestan University of Medical Sciences was below the average level. This situation can be regarded as a strategic opportunity to retain human capital in the healthcare system. Nevertheless, strengthening counseling and psychological-educational support throughout the study period appears necessary to prevent potential future fluctuations.
Methods: This cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study was conducted in 2025 on 347 medical students at Golestan University of Medical Sciences, who were selected using stratified sampling with proportional allocation. The data collection instrument was the standard Migration Tendency Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 24, employing Spearman’s correlation coefficient, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The mean age of participants was 23.79 ± 3.54 years, and the mean grade point average (GPA) was 16.04 ± 1.33. The majority of students were male (60.2%), single (76.9%), and in the basic sciences stage (30.0%). The overall mean score for migration intent was 3.86 ± 0.44. Students identified “origin-push factors” as the most influential driver of migration intent. Significant correlations were observed between migration intent and age (inverse, P=0.046, and GPA (direct, P=0.020). According to the results of multiple regression analysis, the marital status variable was a significant predictor of the tendency to migrate (β = -0.15 and P = 0.013).
Conclusion: The findings indicated that the tendency to migrate among medical students at Golestan University of Medical Sciences was below the average level. This situation can be regarded as a strategic opportunity to retain human capital in the healthcare system. Nevertheless, strengthening counseling and psychological-educational support throughout the study period appears necessary to prevent potential future fluctuations.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
Management of Health Services
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