Geographic labour mobility and quality of life among healthcare workers in North America: a scoping review

Abstract

Objective: To map the factors influencing labour mobility and the Quality of Life (QOL) domains among healthcare workers in North America. Study setting and design: A scoping review was performed following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Data sources and analytic sample: A literature search was conducted across eight databases: MEDLINE (Ovid), APA PsycINFO (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest), Business Source Premier (EBSCO), International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), and Scopus (Elsevier), yielding 1,554 articles. Studies were included if they were empirical, focused on adults (18+) in North America who migrated for work, examined aspects of QOL or equivalent measures, and were published in English. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework was used to structure the data synthesis. Principal findings: Nine studies met the eligibility criteria, revealing three overarching themes on how labour mobility influences QOL from different perspectives: (1) Social Perspectives, (2) Functional Perspectives, and (3) Individual Perspectives. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of social networks for health workers regarding job opportunities, emotional support, and career guidance. However, persistent discrimination, particularly regarding credential recognition and workplace integration, limits career advancement and mobility. Promoting inclusive work environments and equitable policies are crucial for enhancing workforce mobility and QOL among healthcare workers.