Data synthesis

Due to the anticipated heterogeneity in the eligible studies with regard to their study design, population and the outcome of interest, a meta-analysis may not be conducted. The results will be presented in the form of narrative synthesis using a descriptive approach, according to the objectives of the systematic review. Detailed descriptive table showing the characteristics of the included studies will be presented. To aid the visualisation of the key findings, the results will be presented using charts, graphs and maps. This review will adapt two conceptual frameworks to categorise the drivers or determinants of HWs emigration or intention to migrate. The first framework is built on immigration theory of push and pull factors, which refer to factors that incentivise people to leave their home country and factors that attract them to a foreign country, respectively.³⁰ Based on a second conceptual framework of health professionals migration, the push and pull factors will be further categorised into three levels: macro-(national factors), meso-(professional factors) and micro-(personal factors) levels.^{19 31}