ABSTRACT
This study aims to understand the professional expectations and experiences of physicians who have emigrated from Türkiye to other countries, both in Türkiye and in their countries of destination. Although there are numerous studies in the literature focusing on numerical data regarding the reasons for Turkish physicians’ migration and the countries they migrate to, the limited number of studies that examine post-migration experiences in depth has highlighted the need for qualitative research on this subject. In this context, it was considered that the most appropriate approach to the research questions was the qualitative method. Within the scope of the study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 physicians who began their professional careers in Türkiye and then migrated abroad; the data obtained were evaluated using content analysis. The findings reveal how the expectations that physicians had when starting their careers changed over time, the extent to which working conditions in Türkiye met these expectations, and the main factors that shaped their decision to emigrate. According to the study, the negative working conditions, heavy workload, rigid hierarchical structure, administrative pressures, and problems in the quality of patient-doctor communication that physicians were exposed to in Türkiye prior to migration are among the key factors influencing the decision to migrate. After migration, the positive aspects of the system and work relationships, positive assessments of the dynamics of the working environment, opportunities encountered in both personal and professional contexts, and perceived support are the prominent elements. These results reveal not only the reasons for physicians’ migration but also the opportunities and difficulties they encounter in the countries they migrate to. Based on the findings obtained from the research, various recommendations have been developed for improving the healthcare system in Türkiye.
