Health professional mobility in the European Union: Exploring the equity and efficiency of free movement

Health Policy

Volumn 119, Issue 12, 2015, Pages 1529-1536

  Glinos, Irene A ^a  

^a EUROPEAN OBSERVATORY ON HEALTH SYSTEMS AND POLICIES   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Equity; European Union; Free mobility of health professionals; Health workforce; Migration; WHO Code of Practice

Indexed keywords

ARTICLE; EUROPEAN UNION; HEALTH CARE DELIVERY; HEALTH PRACTITIONER; HUMAN; JOB SATISFACTION; PATIENT CARE; WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION; FOREIGN WORKER; HEALTH; HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL; MIGRATION; RESOURCE ALLOCATION; SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION; TRENDS;

EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION; EUROPEAN UNION; FOREIGN PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL; GLOBAL HEALTH; HEALTH PERSONNEL; HUMANS; RESOURCE ALLOCATION;

EID: 84983094854     PISSN: 01688510     EISSN: 18726054     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2015.08.010     Document Type: Article

References (55)

1. WHO WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. Geneva, World Health Organization (63rd World Health Assembly, WHA63.16) 2010, Available at: http://www.who.int/hrh/migration/code/WHO_global_code_of_practice:EN.pdf [accessed 05.08.15].
2. European Commission Green Paper on the European Workforce for Health 2008, European Commission, Brussels, COM(2008) 725 final.
3. Council of the European Union Council conclusions: towards modern, responsive and sustainable health systems. 3059 employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs council meeting, health issues 2011, Council of the European Union, Luxembourg.
4. European Commission Staff working document on an action plan for the EU health workforce. Towards a job-rich recovery 2012, European Commission, Strasbourg, SWD(2012) 93 final.
5. Merkur S. Policy responses facilitating mobility or mitigating its negative effects: national, EU and international instruments. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
6. Directive. 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications. Available at: [accessed 05.08.15]. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1401715075231%26uri=CELEX%3A32005L0036.
7. Buchan J. Nurse workforce sustainability: the United Kingdom 2015, Paper presented at the Nurse Workforce Sustainability Workshop, International Council of Nurses Conference, Seoul, South Korea.
8. German Medical Association. Unpublished data, foreign-national doctors in Germany 1991-2014.
9. Delamaire M.L., Schweyer F.X. Nationally moderate, locally significant: France and health professional mobility from far and near. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
10. Dussault G., Buchan J. The economic crisis in the EU: impact on health workforce mobility. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32. 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
11. Thomson S., Figueras J., Evetovits T., Jowett M., Mladovsky P., Maresso A., et al. Economic crisis, health systems and health in Europe: impact and implications for policy. Policy Summary 12 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies).
12. European Commission Communication from the Commission, follow-up to the high level reflection process on patient mobility and healthcare developments in the European Union 2004, European Commission, Brussels, COM(2004) 301 final.
13. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
14. Glinos I.A., Wismar M., Buchan J. How can countries address the efficiency and equity implications of health professional mobility in Europe? Adapting policies in the context of the WHO Code and EU freedom of movement. Policy Brief 2015, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies), forthcoming.
15. Ognyanova D., Maier C.B., Wismar M., Girasek E., Busse R. Mobility of health professionals before and after the 2004 and 2007 EU enlargements: evidence from the PROMeTHEUS project. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
16. OECD Recent trends in the international migration of doctors and nurses and the impact of health and immigration policies. Working Party on Migration. Note by the Secretariat 2014, OECD, Paris, DELSA/ELSA/WP2(2004)11.
17. Buchan J., Parkin T., Sochalski J. International nurse mobility. Trends and policy implications 2003, World Health Organization, Geneva, Available at: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/68061/1/WHO_EIP_OSD_2003.3.pdf?ua=1 [accessed 05.08.15].
18. Buchan J. Health worker migration in Europe: assessing the policy options. Eurohealth 2007, 13:6-8.
19. Buchan J., Glinos I.A., Wismar M. Introduction to health professional mobility in a changing Europe. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
20. Glinos I.A., Buchan J., Wismar M. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: lessons and findings. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
21. Glinos I.A., Buchan J. Health professionals crossing the EU's internal and external borders: a typology of health professional mobility and migration. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
22. Regulation (EU) No 282/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 on the establishment of a third Programme for the Union's action in the field of health (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1350/2007/EC (Text with EEA relevance), Official Journal L86/1, 21.03.2014.
23. Thomson S., Foubister T., Figueras J., Kutzin J., Permanand G., Bryndová L. Addressing financial sustainability in health systems 2009, World Health Organization, on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.
24. Bertinato L., Glinos I.A., Boscolo E., Ciato L. Oversupplying doctors but seeking carers: Italy's demographic challenges and health professional mobility. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
25. Lopez-Valcarcel B.G., Perez P.B., Quintana C.D.D. Opportunities in an expanding health service: Spain between Latin America and Europe. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
26. Galan A., Olsavszky V., Vladescu C. Emergent challenge of health professional emigration: Romania's accession to the EU. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
27. Kentikelenis A., Karanikolos M., Papanicolas I., Basu S., McKee M., Stuckler D. Health effects of financial crisis: omens of a Greek tragedy. The Lancet 2011, 378:1457-1458.
28. Howie M. Spanish and Portuguese nurses fill the gaps in the NHS. The Guardian 20 Dec 2011.
29. Ribeiro J., Conceicão C., Pereira J., Leone C., Mendonca P., Temido M., et al. Health professionals moving to. . . and from Portugal. Health Policy 2014, 114(2-3):97-108.
30. European Federation of Nurses Associations Caring in crisis: the impact of the financial crisis on nurses and nursing. A comparative overview of 34 European countries 2012, European Federation of Nurses Associations, Brussels, Available at: http://www.efnweb.be/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/EFN-Report-on-the-Impact-of-the-Financial-Crisis-on-Nurses-and-Nursing-January-20122.pdf [accessed 05.08.15].
31. Ognyanova D., Busse R. A destination and a source: Germany manages regional health workforce disparities with foreign medical doctors. Health professional mobility and health systems: Evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
32. Government H.M. Review of the Balance of Competences between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Health 2013, Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/224715/2901083_EU-Health_acc.pdf [accessed 05.08.15].
33. Young R. A major destination country: The United Kingdom and its changing recruitment policies. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
34. Ognyanova D., Young R., Maier C.B., Busse R. Who do health professionals leave Germany and what attracts foreigners? A qualitative study. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
35. Kuusio H., Koivusalo M., Elovainio M., Heponiemi T., Aalto A.-M., Keskimäki I. Changing context and priorities in recruitment and employment: Finland balances inflows and outflows of health professionals. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23. 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
36. Alexa J., Rečka L., Votápková J., van Ginneken E., Spranger A., Wittenbecher F. Czech Republic: health system review. Health Systems in Transition 2015, 17(1):1-165.
37. Saar P., Habicht J. Migration and attrition: Estonia's health sector and cross-border mobility to its northern neighbour. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
38. Offermanns G., Malle E.M., Jusic M. Mobility, language and neighbours: Austria as source and destination country. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
39. Galan A. Personal communication, 26 March 2014.
40. Kautsch M., Czabanowska K. When the grass gets greener at home: Poland's changing incentives for health professional mobility. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
41. Cullen P. Varadkar to announce campaign to bring Irish nurses home. The Irish Times 08 May 2015, Available at: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/varadkar-to-announce-campaign-to-bring-irish-nurses-home-1.2204042 [accessed 05.08.15].
42. Safuta A., Baeten R. Of permeable borders: Belgium as both source and host country. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
43. Young R., Humphrey C., Rafferty A.M. Motivations and experiences of health professionals who migrate to the United Kingdom from other EU countries. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
44. Braeseke G. Training nurses from Vietnam: lessons from the pilot project in Germany 05 December 2014, Presentation at the Joint Action on Health Workforce Planning and Forecasting Conference, Rome.
45. Humphries N., Tyrrell E., McAleese S., Bidwell P., Thomas S., Normand C., et al. A cycle of brain gain, waste and drain - a qualitative study of non-EU migrant doctors in Ireland. Human Resources for Health 2013, 11:63.
46. Buchan J., Aiken L. Solving nursing shortages: a common priority. Journal of Clinical Nursing 2008, 17:3262-3268.
47. Galan A., Olsavszky V., Vladescu C. Calarasi and Silistra hospitals sharing doctors (Romania-Bulgaria). Hospitals and borders: 7 case-studies on cross-border collaboration and health system interactions. Observatory Studies Series 31 2013, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). I.A. Glinos, M. Wismar (Eds.).
48. Maier C.B., Glinos I.A., Wismar M., Bremner J., Dussault G., Figueras J. Cross-country analysis of health professional mobility in Europe: the results. Health professional mobility and health systems: evidence from 17 European countries. Observatory Studies Series 23 2011, WHO Regional Office for Europe on behalf of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Copenhagen. M. Wismar, C.B. Maier, I.A. Glinos, G. Dussault, J. Figueras (Eds.).
49. Kingma M. Nurses on the move: a global overview. Health Services Research 2007, 42(3 Pt 2):1281-1298.
50. Bruyneel L., Li B., Aiken L., Lesaffre E., Van den Heede K., Sermeus W. A multi-country perspective on nurses' tasks below their skill level: reports from domestically trained nurses and foreign-trained nurses from developing countries. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
51. Kapur D., McHale J. Give us your best and brightest: the global hunt for talent and its impact on the developing world 2005, Center for Global Development, Washington, DC.
52. Fujisawa R., Lafortune G. The remuneration of general practitioners and specialists in 14 OECD countries: what are the factors influencing variations across countries? OECD Health Working Papers No. 41 2008, OECD Publishing, Paris.
53. Humphries N., Bidwell P., Tyrrell E., Brugha R., Thomas S., Normand C. "I am kind of in stalemate". The experiences of non-EU migrant doctors in Ireland. Health professional mobility in a changing Europe: new dynamics, mobile individuals and diverse responses. Observatory Studies Series 32 2014, World Health Organization (acting as the host organization for, and secretariat of, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies). J. Buchan, M. Wismar, I.A. Glinos, J. Bremner (Eds.).
54. Wolanik Bostrom K., Ohlander M. A troubled elite? Stories about migration and establishing professionalism as a Polish doctor in Sweden, Working Papers No. 110 2012, COMCAD, Center on Migration, Citizenship and Development, Bielefeld.
55. Plimmer G. UK falls short of 24,000 nurses due to cuts and immigration rules. Financial Times 07 June 2015.