The Determinants of Abroad-Based Practice among UPCM Alumni

Abstract

Background: The country's health system is confronted with the potential threats of mass overseas migration and non-equitable distribution of health professionals including physicians. The UP College of Medicine (UPCM), despite being subsidized by the state, has its own share of this problem regarding its graduates.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to look into the geographic distribution of practices among the
alumni of UPCM and to identify the predictors of abroad-based practice. The period involved was entirely
covered by the Regionalization Program (RP) and partially by the Return Service Obligation Program (RSOP).

Methodology: The geographic practice base among the UPCM graduates was determined and correlated
through logistic regression with their pre-admission academic profile, namely Pre-Med General Weighted
Average Grades (PGWAGs), National Medical Admissions Tests (NMATs), interview scores, entry rank, premed courses, admissions categories, Medicine General Weighted Average Grades (MGWAG), class rank, and board rating.

Results: Majority (51.3%) of the UPCM graduates practiced at the National Capital Region (NCR), around a quarter (26.1%) practiced in the province, and approximately one out of ten (11.4%) was based overseas. Associated with higher odds of practicing abroad were those with higher board rating, entry rank, NMAT, %MGWAG, %PMGWAG, class rank, and those admitted through the UP Medical Alumni Association in America (UPMASA) category. Other special categories such as high interview scores and BS Psychology graduates in pre-med lowered the chances of overseas migration and practice.

Conclusion and Recommendation: UPCM graduates with superb academic performance both in their premed course and in medicine would most likely establish their geographic practice abroad. In order to minimize the brain drain and overseas migration of UPCM graduates, the admissions policy must be revised towards shifting the focus from purely academic criteria to the non-academic attributes of the applicants.

Published online: September 21, 2021