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Journals / İnsan ve Toplum / 2026 / Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1

Turkish Migration of Physicians: The Impact of Occupational Factors

Türk Hekimlerin Göçü: Mesleki Faktörlerin Etkisi

Furkan Baki Zaralioğlu(İSTANBUL MEDİPOL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-0962-5264
Nil Erden(İstanbul Üniversitesi)0000-0001-8422-9109
Pages
100–128
Publication Date
2026-03-05
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

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.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis: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.
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Key Findings & Data: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.
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Conclusion & Impact: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.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Beyin Göçü · Türk Hekimler · Mesleki Beklentiler

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.

Özet

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’den yurt dışına göç eden hekimlerin hem Türkiye’deki hem de göç sonrası ülkelerdeki mesleki beklenti ve deneyimlerini anlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Literatürde, Türk hekimlerin göç nedenlerine ve göç ettikleri ülkelere ilişkin sayısal verilere odaklanan çok sayıda araştırma bulunmasına rağmen göç sonrası deneyimlerin derinlemesine ele alındığı çalışmaların sınırlı oluşu, bu konuda nitel bir araştırma ihtiyacını gündeme getirmiştir. Bu bağlamda, araştırma sorularına en uygun yaklaşımın kalitatif yöntem olduğu düşünülmüştür. Çalışma kapsamında, meslek hayatına Türkiye’de başlayıp yurt dışına göç eden 11 hekimle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiş, elde edilen veriler içerik analizi yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, hekimlerin mesleğe başlarken taşıdıkları beklentilerin zamanla nasıl dönüştüğünü, Türkiye’deki çalışma koşullarının bu beklentileri ne ölçüde karşıladığını ve göç kararını şekillendiren başlıca etkenleri ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışmaya göre; göç öncesinde hekimlerin Türkiye’de maruz kaldığı olumsuz çalışma koşulları, ağır iş yükü, katı hiyerarşik yapı, idari baskılar ve hasta-hekim iletişiminin niteliğindeki sorunlar göç kararını etkileyen temel faktörler arasında yer almaktadır. Göç sonrasında ise sistemin ve iş ilişkilerinin olumlu yönleri, çalışma ortamının dinamiklerine yönelik olumlu değerlendirmeler hem kişisel hem mesleki bağlamda karşılaşılan fırsat ve algılanan destek öne çıkan unsurlardır. Bu sonuçlar, hekimlerin göç etme nedenlerinin yanı sıra göç ettikleri ülkelerde karşılaştıkları fırsatlar ve karşılaştıkları güçlükleri de ortaya koymaktadır. Araştırma sonucunda elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda, Türkiye’deki sağlık sisteminin iyileştirilmesine yönelik çeşitli öneriler geliştirilmiştir.

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Cite This Article

Zaralioğlu, F. B., Erden, N. (2026). Turkish Migration of Physicians: The Impact of Occupational Factors. İnsan ve Toplum, Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1, 100–128. https://doi.org/10.12658/M0788

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