Migrant healthcare workers’ experiences and mobility patterns in a global health crisis: a qualitative study with Romania physicians working in Germany

Introduction Attention to the healthcare workforce has increased, yet comprehensive information on migrant healthcare workers is missing. This study focuses on migrant healthcare workers’ experiences and explores mobility patterns in the middle of a global health crisis, aiming to explore the capacity for circular migration and support effective equitable healthcare workforce policy. Methods Romanian physicians in Germany served as an empirical case study. We applied a qualitative explorative approach; interviews (n=21) were collected from mid of September to early November 2022 and content analysis was performed. Results Migrant physicians showed strong resilience during the COVID-19 crisis and rarely complained. Commitment to high professional standards and career development were major pull factors towards Germany, while perceptions of limited career choices, nepotism and corruption in Romania caused strong push mechanisms. We identified two major mobility patterns that may support circular migration policies: well-integrated physicians with a wish to give something back to their home country, and mobile cosmopolitan physicians who flexibly balance career opportunities and personal/family interests. Conclusions Health policy must establish systematic monitoring of the migrant HCWF including actor-centred approaches, support integration in destination countries as well as health system development in sending countries, and invest in evidence-based circular migration policy.