Mobility of Medical Doctors as an Attribute of the Cross-Border Healthcare: Challenges, Opportunities and Perspectives

Abstract

Mobility of medical doctors has both positive and negative effects to be carefully considered in healthcare systems. Medical doctors decide to move from one country to another not only because of higher incomes, but in search of better working environments, career opportunities and social recognition. Thus, mobility of medical doctors is seen as a symptom of more fundamental health systems problems. Migration of health professionals in generally and of medical doctors in particular has its roots in current problems of healthcare systems. These need to be addressed by policy makers in an integrated manner because health professional mobility cannot be considered in isolation. While some European countries have to deal with major shortages of medical doctors, other are confronted with increasing pressures to manage maldistribution, both geographically and in terms of specialities needed. In responding to the inflow and outflow of medical doctors, today and in future, countries may take a series of measures aiming at an appropriate management of their healthcare workforce. For instance, they may sign bilateral agreements or facilitate the recognition of diplomas from non-European countries or they may consider developing twinning schemes and joint training programmes. Although these policy responses may facilitate a better management of doctors’ mobility, the European countries should seek to solve mainly the domestic problems liked to doctors’ migration. Thus, they should seek to strengthen existing healthcare strategies by improving retention, increasing salaries and providing more advanced training opportunities. In addition, countries could develop new healthcare strategies which can better respond to the current and future mobility trends.