Brain Drain or Circular Migration: The Case of Romanian Physicians

AbstractThe aim of this article is to tackle the brain drain phenomenon in the health sector in Romania, focusing on the dichotomy brain drain-brain circulation. Between 2007 and 2010, 8131 medical doctors leaved the country. However, statistics on permanent migration emphasize a not so worrying situation: in the same period of time, 1066 medical doctors changed their permanent residence. The profile of the emigrant include young medical doctors, leaving Romania at the early stage of their career. Whether they are exponents of permanent or circular migration depends on our country's ability in offering them incentives for returning. Primary data sources and results of qualitative and quantitative studies available in the literature are used in the attempt of offering an answer to the controversial issue of Romanian physicians