Physicians’ workforce and the current impact of international migration in Hungary

UNLABELLED: After 1989, as a result of the free international migration, there were significant changes in the physicians' workforce of Hungary. Nevertheless, the real breakthrough happened only after 1 May, 2004, when Hungary joined the European Union. The last free market restrictions imposed by Austria and Germany (on the new member states who joined in 2004) were lifted on 1 May, 2011. AIMS: Since no scientific or comprehensive evaluation dealt with the physicians' recent migration after 2004, let alone the day-to-day mass media communication, this study presents and analyses the changes between 1 January, 2006 and 31 December, 2010. METHODS: Data were obtained from the health care administration and by the national demographic statistics. RESULTS: It is clearly indicated that Hungary lost about 3,900 physicians in the course of these 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: There is clear evidence of a disturbed workforce balance and it must be taken into account that without any measures a serious lack of doctors will emerge in the following 1-2 years.