The Risk of the Outflow of Doctors and IT/ICT ... - Outlook Web App

SUMMARY - CONCLUSIONS
Part I - DOCTORS
Statistical analyses and other research in 2006 did not confirm the hypothesis of a shortage
of Czech doctors. In an international comparison the Czech Republic is at the average for the
OECD countries in terms of the number of general practitioners per capita, and is well above
the average for the number of specialised doctors. Full surgeries in the Czech Republic are
more a reflection of more frequent visits to the doctor (see the statistical comparison with the
majority of OECD countries) than a consequence of any critical shortage of Czech doctors.
Nevertheless, in practice individual medical facilities are lacking doctors, primarily:
a) for specific specialisations - monitoring of vacancies for doctors in selected hospitals
confirmed a shortage of doctors in geriatrics, ophthalmology, pathology and diagnostic
radiology, and some medical facilities experience difficulties in recruiting specialists in
internal medicine, paediatrics, stomatology and surgery;
b) in specific regions (the situation in North Bohemia in particular is critical);
c) in various types of medical facility (teaching hospitals versus district hospitals, private
versus public healthcare…).
Over the last ten years the total number of doctors has risen by an average of 2 % each year;
doctors who retire are replaced by new graduates from medical faculties. The situation for
stomatologists is problematic given the age structure of the group, the anticipated higher
proportion of stomatologists due for retirement, and a disproportionately small number of
dentistry graduates.
An economic analysis confirmed that income motivates Czech doctors to work abroad.
Doctors with average earnings in other countries have significantly greater purchasing power
than general practitioners with average earnings in the Czech Republic (in Ireland that is 60%
higher, in Germany 80%, in Austria 120% and in the United Kingdom 250% - the highest
figure).
An empirical field survey of the opinions of doctors and students in their senior years at
medical faculties on their potential emigration did not however confirm that emigration by
Czech doctors will be dramatic. Although the general emigration potential of doctors and
medical students is high (approximately three times higher than the average for the Czech
population), the probability of such plans being implemented is significantly lower for both
groups. A higher probability is ascribed to approximately a third of respondents with a
positive attitude to emigration, but that is only realistic for approximately one-tenth to onefifth
of respondents.
The target countries chosen are almost the same as for the majority population (United
Kingdom, Ireland and Germany). A field survey of doctors and medics confirmed as motives
for migration the prospect of higher incomes and other motives that are typical for
emigrating professionals: professional growth, gaining an international overview, the
opportunity to work with the latest medical technology and modern diagnostic and treatment
procedures, making professional contacts, etc. In contrast with the majority population,
emigration among doctors may also apply to experienced specialists in higher age groups (in
the 50-55 age range one in eight doctors questioned were considering working abroad).
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