Filipino nurses migration and the future of Philippine health care

The migration of Filipino nurses outside the country affects the present and future of the Philippine health care system. The Delphi Survey was a investigation on today's status of brain drain phenomenon among Filipino nurses and the future of Philippine health care from the viewpoints of some experts. A series of questionnaire was given to expert: (1) the first round asked about identifying issues revolving around brain drain; (2) the second was the anonymous feedback of all collected ideas and forecasts sent in the first round, which provided the experts with space to refine their own ideas; and (3) the last round summarized the inputs from the second questionnaire, and asked for additional clarification, strength, weaknesses, and new ideas. Filipino nurses migrate due to necessity. This is influenced by the physiologic, safety and security, social, self-esteem, and self-actualization needs of Filipino nurses, which is difficult to achieve in the local setting. Though there is oversupply of nurses in the country, skilled and intellectually competent nurses work outside. Common themes identified include: (a) poor remuneration; (b) poor working conditions; (c) unreasonable workloads; (d) lack of opportunities; and (e) insufficiently addressed basic needs