Beyond financial incentives: a quantitative study on spatial stigma and Puerto Rican physician migration to the United States

Puerto Rico faces a significant health crisis due to the mass migration of physicians to the United States, exacerbating the challenge of achieving the World Health Organisation's recommended physician-to-population ratio. While economic factors such as higher salaries in the US have been identified as primary drivers, the complexity of this migration wave requires a deeper exploration. This study quantitatively examines the role of push factors, pull factors, and spatial stigmatisation in physician migration from Puerto Rico. Using data from a randomly selected sample of 550 physicians (255 who had migrated to the US and 295 who lived in Puerto Rico), we analyse how perceptions of Puerto Rico's image and reputation, combined with stigmatisation linked to practicing medicine on the Island, influence migration decisions. Findings highlight that while better economic opportunities in the US are significant, the spatial stigma associated with Puerto Rico's healthcare system plays a crucial role in the decision to migrate. Policies aimed at curbing physician migration must address not only economic incentives but also the broader socio-cultural perceptions that contribute to the stigmatisation of practicing medicine in Puerto Rico. This study provides insights to inform comprehensive policy solutions to the healthcare crisis in Puerto Rico.