A new study has highlighted a major debt crisis among Irish medical students.

They say these debt problems may be forcing young doctors to go abroad to take up better-paid jobs than are available in Ireland.

Researchers from UCC found that 61% of graduate entry medical students surveyed at the College took out specialised term loans from banks to cover tuition and living, and will graduate with debts averaging €80,000.

The study also found that 26% of direct entry medical student survey respondents with student debt expected debts averaging over €17,000 when they finished their studies.

Graduate entry medical students begin their medical studies after completing a degree in another subject, whereas direct entry students usually start studying medicine after completing the Leaving Certificate.

Fees for graduate entry medicine students are in excess of €14,000 per year and these students are not entitled to apply for the Student Grant, the researchers point out.

"Graduates are voting with their feet with many opting to leave Ireland in search of better working conditions abroad. A number of factors are at play but past research has established that debt is an important predictor of medical workforce migration," the UCC researchers said.

The researchers say solutions to medical school debt must be part of medical workforce planning.

The study is published in the latest edition of the Irish Medical Journal.