Doctors on the move: why Sri Lanka’s grade medical officers consider emigration
1 Regional Directorate of Health Services, Galle, Sri Lanka.
2 International Research Collaborative, School of Health and Clinical Sciences, University of Western Australia.
3 Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
* Corresponding Author
Research Article
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2026, 12(01), 170–176.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2026.12.1.0084
Publication history:
Received on 24 July 2026; revised on 31 August 2026; accepted on 02 September 2026
Abstract:
Lanka, this study assessed factors associated with grade medical officers’ intention to emigrate.
Methods: A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Teaching Hospital Karapitiya. From 476 grade medical officers, 213 were randomly selected. An online questionnaire developed from the literature, expert input and discussions with emigrated doctors assessed economic, sociopolitical, professional and sociocultural factors. Migration intention was analysed as a composite score and as a dichotomous outcome using correlation, t-tests and chi-square tests.
Results: The primary analysis included 178 respondents; 97 (54.5%) intended to emigrate. Sociopolitical factors were significantly associated with migration intention in both composite (r=0.231, p=0.002) and dichotomous analyses (p=0.029). Economic, professional and sociocultural scores were not significantly associated with migration status. Respondents intending to migrate were younger (mean 39.56 versus 44.23 years, p<0.001). Migration intention was also associated with male sex (p=0.036), professional qualification (p=0.039) and Ministry of Health grade (p=0.015).
Conclusion: More than half of surveyed grade medical officers intended to emigrate. Retention strategies should address sociopolitical conditions, professional opportunity, career stage and employment grade, not remuneration alone.
Keywords:
Grade Medical Officers; Emigration; Migration Intention; Brain Drain; Sociopolitical Factors; Sri Lanka
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