Paramedic Migration

The number of Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics in developing countries is grossly inadequate. The current shortage may be ascribed to migration. However, although literature on health worker migration in general abounds, there is a marked lack of national or international statistics and information on migration of ALS paramedics and their migration. Current measures to manage migration appear to be ineffective. The success of future strategies is dependent on an in depth understanding of migration of ALS paramedics - an understanding that presently does not exist. This book presents a two-phase comprehensive mixed method study describing the migration of South African ALS paramedics. In particular, the study determined the extent and nature of their migration, identified the factors that have contributed to their decision to work outside the country and identified strategies to retain or encourage their return.