Attitudes of the final year medical students towards emigration; [Stavovi o emigraciji studenata završne godine medicine]

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess attitudes of the final year students of the Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade towards emigration after graduation. Methods. In January 2015 a cross-sectional study was conducted among final year students at the Medical Faculty in Belgrade. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics and chi-square test was used. Results. Among 180 students, 62.8% were females. After graduation, 16.1% medical students want to emigrate from Serbia, the majority of study population (65%) think about emigration, while 18.9% of students have an intention to stay and work as medical doctors in Serbia. Out of 29 medical students who would certainly emigrate from Serbia, 58.6% have remarkable success in studies (≥8.50, ranged 6-10). Also, 44.9% of students learn German as their first foreign language. Regarding the importance of career and professional development, higher wages, better life experience, higher standard than in Serbia and the lack of prospects in Serbia, we recorded higher scores among students who would certainly emigrate from Serbia as well as among students who think about emigration. 66.9% stated that they would like to work in Belgrade, if they stay in Serbia. Conclusion. Almost two-thirds of the final year students, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, expressed a conscious desire to leave the country after graduation in search of employment and professional development. © 2018, Serbian Medical Society. All rights reserved.