Table 4

Summary of push and pull factors identified by respondents

Push factors
Pull factors

Job security

No jobs available
Jobs available; colleagues, friends and recruiters telling them about opportunities
Lack of promotions

Risk of losing jobs due to lack of funds


Working conditions

Low salaries
Reasonable remuneration – able to save money
Non-payment of salaries (non-payment of housing allowance)

Deteriorating work environment/facilities

Inadequate medicine and equipment

Significant stress, overtime and generally poor conditions of service resulting in fatigue and burn-out
Regular workload
Inability to treat patients due to poor services and medicine

Impossible patient-health care provider ratios, making it difficult to give quality care
Reasonable conditions of work
Poor health human resources planning


Economic and political considerations

Disarray in severely economically depressed SSA countries
Canada a wealthy, democratic country
Political and racial upheaval
Not corrupt
Gender discrimination


Physical security

Carjackings
Safe country
Muggings

Significant criminality

Gender-based violence

Significant exposure to HIV – risk of infection through treatment of patients


Quality of life

Poor accommodation
Canada tolerant, multi-ethnic
Lack of transport to go to work
Good quality of life
Inability to live a decent life


Education

Diminishing quality of education for children
Greater opportunities for children – good education and ability to earn a decent living

Labonté et al. Human Resources for Health 2006 4:22   doi:10.1186/1478-4491-4-22