Migration tendencies of psychiatric trainees in the Baltic countries

Introduction: The Baltic region is characterized by a high emigration rate, especially among the youth. However, little is known
about the migration tendencies of junior doctors training in psychiatry in the Baltic countries.
Objectives: To describe and compare the attitudes towards migration among psychiatric trainees in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was circulated in Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania in 2013-2014 as part of the EFPT Brain Drain study.
Data were analysed using SPSS.
Results: In this sample of trainees from the Baltic countries, the
majority were female, general adult psychiatry trainees, aged 25 to 30.
A vast majority of the respondents had ‘ever’ considered leaving the
country. About half of Estonian and more than half of Latvian and
Lithuanian trainees considered leaving the country ‘now’. However,
only a minority had taken ‘practical steps’ towards migration. Of the
three Baltic countries, Estonia had the highest salary. About one third
of Estonian and Lithuanian trainees were dissatisfied with their
income, while half of Latvian trainees reported being very dissatisfied
with it. The most important reasons for leaving the country were
personal and financial. The main reasons for staying were personal.
Conclusions: The majority of surveyed psychiatric trainees in the
Baltic countries had ‘ever’ considered leaving their country, often
due to inadequate salary. These findings call for further investigation and action to support the workforce in the Baltic countries