Medical Migration from the Global South to the U.S. South: Tampa's International Health Workforce

Objectives: This study (which is part of a larger, interdisciplinary project that seeks to assess the public health impact of medical migration and generate innovative policy proposals) aims to understand why and how health workers migrate to the U.S. We seek to identify barriers and opportunities related to migrating as a health professional, as well as the challenges and benefits of being an immigrant working in health care in the U.S.

Methods: Through in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with 20 practicing physicians and 15 nurses, we documented the individual experiences of medical professionals working as immigrants in the U.S. medical system in Tampa. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analyzed to find patterns, trends, and variances.

Results: Our findings reveal that, as a group, doctors differ from nurses regardless of country of origin. The reasons for which doctors migrate, their migration method and process, the kind and level of support they receive during migration, and the ways they "give back" to their native country differ from nurses. However, doctors and nurses have similar reasons for staying in the U.S. and almost all respondents expressed financial, professional, or personal ways in which they maintain ties to their country.

Conclusions: Our study suggests that the skilled migrant's profession—and professional culture—contribute to better understanding and evaluating the complex and interrelated factors in the transnational migration process. Understanding different migration experiences can contribute to better policies and strategies to protect the public's health while protecting the rights of medical professionals.