International migration of Turkish physicians on the axis of neoliberal populist policies and authoritarianism

Abstract

In recent years, increasing physician migration from Turkey to developed countries is high on the country’s agenda. This study aimed to investigate the reasons for the emergence of this mobility from Turkey to developed countries within the context of the country’s socio-economic and political transformations in the health system. Interviews were conducted with twenty physicians using the in-depth interview method, one of the qualitative research methods. The study revealed that the negative effects of neoliberal policies in the field of health on the working conditions of physicians have emerged as an important reason for migration. In addition to the neoliberal transformation in health, violence and identification of physicians as targets have increased as a part of Turkey’s political transformation. The weakening of the sense of belonging to the profession, the institution and the country has emerged as the main reason for migration especially among young physicians.