Where to Be in 5 Years? Brain Drain of Psychiatric Trainees – Case of Albania

Abstract

Introduction

The brain drain of psychiatrists is considered as a mental health care damaging phenomenon in low- and middle-income countries. Albania currently has one of the world's highest emigration rates, relative to its population and a total emigrant population of more than 1.25 millions in 2014. More than 50% of the lecturers and researchers in Albania left the country during 1991–2005. Nevertheless, the data on healthcare workers migration is very limited.

Objectives

Assessing the migration profile and migratory trends of psychiatry trainees in Albania as part of EFPT Brain Drain study in Europe.

Methods

Data collection was accomplished by an anonymous online survey and hard-copy questionnaire in University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”, to all psychiatric residents in Psychiatric Clinic in Tirana, during May–October 2013.

Results

More than 2/3 respondents are very dissatisfied with their income but the main reasons for leaving the country are personal and family composition. A minority did have a short term or long term experience abroad respectively 8,3% and 16.7% during which 50% of them considered to have the same opportunities as the locals. A total of 66% of residents consider leaving the country after the residency training.

Conclusions

Losing large numbers of skilled psychiatrists contributes to decreasing of quality of mental health services. Since it can be considered “brain waste” in terms of a loss of investment into human resource development, Albania needs to establish policies to promote returnees.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.