Table 2 Summary of key characteristics of peer-reviewed articles, by thematic focus
First author, publication year | Article type/study design | Description | Study setting (study period) | Type of HCW |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Multiple themes | ||||
 Bertone, 2018 [39] | Qualitative | Reports policies and policy-making processes at central level related to healthcare workforce recruitment and presents a political economy analysis about how and why both official and informal practices developed, as well as the drivers, challenges and blockages at different stages. | Timor-Leste (1998–2018) | Multiple (with a focus on nurses) |
 Bristol, 2005 [40] | Commentary | Identifies challenges faced by expatriate doctors returning to Afghanistan to provide essential healthcare | Afghanistan (2001–2005) | Multiple (i.e. Expatriate doctors based in the U.S., midwives, community HCWs) |
 Chikanda, 2006 [41] | Qualitative | Assesses the magnitude of the migration of skilled health personnel, analysed the effects on health care delivery, and recommended ways of retaining skilled health personnel. | Zimbabwe (2002) | Multiple (Individual HCWs, migrant health staff, and returnee health staff) |
 Crutcher, 2008 [42] | Case Study | Describes the Sudanese Physician Reintegration Programme. | South Sudan (2008) | Physicians (Sudanese physicians) |
Repatriation of externally displaced HCWs | ||||
 Akl, 2008 [43] | Observational | Examines whether the repatriation of Lebanese physicians educated abroad has contributed to the international emigration of recent Lebanese medical graduates. | Lebanon (1977–2006) | Physicians |
 Finlay, 2011 [44] | Review | Examines the motivations and factors influencing the planned return to Sudan of the 15 participants in the Sudanese Physician Reintegration Programme, using a multiple life history approach | South Sudan (2006) | Physicians (Qualified Sudanese physicians trained in Cuba) |
Reintegration of returned HCWs | ||||
 Preston, 1994 [45] | Case Study | Analyses the situation of people seriously affected by the war of independence and the effectiveness of policy initiatives or their own efforts to facilitate their integration into society. | Namibia (1993) | Multiple |
Rehabilitation and reconstruction of the health system | ||||
 Morikawa, 2003 [46] | Case Study | Describes a training program by both expatriate and returned staff that supported the reintegration of returned staff | Kosovo (1999) | Multiple (GPs and nurses) |
 Al Hilfi, 2013 [47] | Review | Describes the health status of Iraqis, the function of Iraq’s health system, the rapid changes occurring in the health sector, and the need for improved policies to guide these processes | Iraq (2003–2011) | Multiple |