Quality of life, rather than compensation, is the main factor driving physicians to consider moving abroad, according to a Medscape report published Nov. 24.
Medscape surveyed 1,271 physicians who either currently work abroad or aspire to do so between Sept. 8 and Nov. 3.
Here’s why surveyed physicians said they were leaving:
- Quality of life/work-life balance: 70%
- Higher compensation: 46%
- Better education/lifestyle for family: 46%
- Professional growth: 35%
- To experience a different culture: 32%
The top five reported countries where expats practice are:
- Spain: 22%
- Germany: 12%
- France: 9%
- U.S.: 7%
- Australia: 6%
Quality of life is a major draw to Australia, Canada and Spain. Here’s the share of surveyed expats citing quality of life or work-life balance as a reason for moving, by country:
- Current Australia expats: 78%
- Future Latin America expats: 72%
- Current Spain expats: 60%
- Current Canada expats: 59%
- Current expats overall: 53%
Higher pay is more likely to pull EU physicians to Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S. Here’s the share of surveyed expats citing compensation as a reason for moving, by country:
- Future EU expat: 55%
- Current U.K. expat: 51%
- Current Switzerland expats: 44%
- Current U.S. expats: 37%
- Future expats overall: 46%
