Changes in Physician Emigration and Density After the 2010 WHO Global Code of Practice

Was the 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel (WHO Code) associated with changes in physician migration and physician density in shortage countries?In this difference-in-differences analysis of 56 WHO-designated shortage countries (135 888 physicians) and 116 nonshortage countries (516 030 physicians), the WHO Code was associated with a reduction in annual physician emigration by nearly 30% during the first 5 years. However, physician density in shortage countries declined relative to nonshortage countries during the study period.Although the WHO Code was associated with reductions in physician outflow from shortage countries, broader investments are needed to strengthen physician supply and health systems in those countries.

Corresponding Author: Hao Yu, PhD, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, 401 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215 (hao_yu@hphci.harvard.edu).

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