Abstract

Objective: To determine the factors responsible for migration and training abroad of medical students.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dow Medical College, among medical students using a structured questionnaire through online forms. The sample size was calculated using the Check market online sample size calculator. Considering our population size as 1750 people (approximately 1400 medical students and 350 fresh medical graduates), we decided upon the margin of error 5% and our confidence level 95% to determine the sample size.
Results: There was not a marked difference in response to our main question i.e. 50.6% of students chose to migrate abroad while 49.4% wanted to continue their practice in the home country. For those who chose to migrate abroad, the most compelling factor came out to be the good quality of training abroad (78.1%), while for those who chose to stay, the desire to settle in their home country turned out to be the most important factor (66.7%).
Conclusion: The percentage of medical students who want to go abroad is slightly higher than those who don’t want to. More males are willing to go abroad than females.

Key words: career choice, medical students, migration, Pakistan.