The Relationship Between Fear of Violence, Migration Intention, and Occupational Anxiety Among Medical Students

Aim: Violence against healthcare workers is an increasing occupational hazard worldwide, contributing to burnout, migration, and reduced workforce retention. In Türkiye, the fear of violence among medical trainees may be influencing their intention to work abroad and shaping their career trajectories. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 474 5th- and 6th-year medical students using the Fear of Violence Scale and a custom questionnaire exploring sociodemographic and occupational factors. Data were analysed using non-parametric tests due to non-normal distribution. Results: The average fear of violence score was 42.87±8.07. Students expressing higher anxiety about beginning their careers, who reported obstacles to working in Türkiye, or who wished to practise abroad had significantly higher fear scores. 62.2% of students indicated a desire to work internationally, and 56.3% reported they would not choose medical school again. Fear of violence emerged as a strong correlate of both migration intent and occupational anxiety. Conclusion: Fear of workplace violence significantly impacts medical students’ attitudes toward practising in their home country. These findings reflect a broader challenge of healthcare worker retention and signal the need for policy changes targeting workplace safety in clinical training environments.