The development of a framework to retain migrating South African undergraduate Advanced Life Support paramedics

Abstract

South Africa currently has 1631 registered Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics to tend to the pre-hospital advanced life support needs of just under 50 million people. Compared to the globally accepted ratio of 1:10 000, the number of ALS paramedics in South Africa is grossly inadequate. The current shortage of South African ALS paramedics 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 understanding of the migration of South African ALS paramedics - an understanding that presently does not exist. Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe the migration of South African undergraduate Advanced Life Support paramedics who qualified between 2001 and 2006, and to then develop a framework of retention strategies. In particular, it determined the extent and nature of their migration, identified the factors that have contributed to their decision to work outside South Africa and identified strategies to retain or encourage the return of ALS paramedics to practice exclusively in South Africa. Methods The study consisted of a two-phase mixed method descriptive survey. Paramedics with ALS undergraduate diplomas who qualified in South Africa between 2001 and 2006 made up the study population. Quantitative data (Phase One) was obtained from a web-based survey distributed to the accessible population (N=97). Thereafter, qualitative data (Phase Two) was gathered through in-depth interviews with selected information rich participants (n=10) also from within the accessible population. Through methodological triangulation, data from Phase One and Phase Two were Page vi integrated to obtain an in-depth understanding of South African ALS paramedic migration. Results Significant differences existed in the distribution of age (p=0.035), and years of experience post-graduation (p=0.007) and the ALS paramedic deemed most likely to migrate were individuals between the ages of 21 – 30. 15 (55%) of the participants working outside the country were engaged in short term contracts while all 24 (100%) of participants working inside South Africa were permanently employed. 18 (75%) of respondents working inside South Africa intended migrating, 12 (67%) of which intended to do so within 0 to 2 years. Nine major factors or reasons for migration were identified by participants. Working conditions, physical security and economic considerations were ranked as the top three major factors most likely to contribute to the decision or intended decision to migrate. This study also found five primary decisions that likely emerge during the life of a South African ALS Paramedic. The outcome of each decision is a result of facilitators weighted against barriers. Facilitators are factors that supported each of the primary decisions while barriers weakened or rejected them. Findings indicated that many barriers existed which rejected or weakened the decision of ALS paramedics to work inside South Africa, return to South Africa or remain in South Africa. On the converse, a vast number of facilitators existed which spurred continued migration. Conclusions As the decision to migrate may be conceptualised as early on as when individuals decide to become ALS paramedics, the constructs of return and retention strategies have to extend as far as revising recruitment policies. Preference or places into training programmes should be given to individuals who are less inclined to migrate, these include: military personnel; those already employed in the EMS, older mature candidates; candidates with families that have already settled in SA; and recognition of prior learning (RPL) candidates who are predominately obligated by contract to remain in South African EMSs.