Fear of violence and brain drain analysis among healthcare workers in Turkey

Abstract

Background This study investigates the relationship between healthcare professionals' intention to emigrate and their exposure to violence in Turkey, using a quantile regression model. Through this approach, it aims to reveal how healthcare professionals' attitudes toward brain drain vary across different levels of fear of violence, considering factors such as professional experience and income. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed, utilizing a quantile regression model to analyze the variation in brain drain attitudes across different percentiles. The model examines how fear of violence affects these attitudes at various levels. Results The analysis reveals that the intention to engage in brain drain increases with professional experience. Interestingly, a high fear of violence is associated with a reduced tendency to emigrate. Furthermore, the findings indicate that as income increases, attitude scores toward brain drain decrease, suggesting a complex interplay of factors in this phenomenon. Conclusions The study’s findings have significant implications for policymakers. By understanding the role of factors such as fear of violence, income level, and professional experience in healthcare professionals’ decisions to stay or leave, policymakers can develop targeted strategies to prevent or manage brain drain. Future research could further investigate these variables, providing valuable insights for policy development.