ABSTRACT

Objective

Brain drain refers to the loss of qualified human capital when educated and skilled individuals migrate abroad in pursuit of better employment or educational opportunities. Health professionals are among the occupational groups most affected by this phenomenon. This study aims to conduct a content analysis of postgraduate theses in Türkiye that focus on brain drain in the health sector, providing an overview of existing academic work and guidance for future researchers.

Methods

Postgraduate theses listed in the Council of Higher Education Thesis Database were systematically reviewed. The theses were evaluated based on variables such as degree level, language, and university. For theses with inaccessible full texts, the researchers were contacted directly to obtain the complete versions, and the analyses were conducted accordingly.

Results

A total of 163 theses related to brain drain were reviewed, 21 of which specifically addressed the health sector. The majority were written within the last five years and mainly examined the reasons behind health professionals’ migration and its impacts on health systems.

Conclusion

Brain drain in the health sector, particularly physician and nurse migration, remains a critical issue. Future studies should explore this phenomenon more comprehensively within the context of policy development and preventive strategies. Multidisciplinary approaches and multi-stakeholder collaborations are recommended to address brain drain holistically.