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In an interview with the JDD, the senator and president of the Delegation for Women’s Rights, Annick Billon returned to the alarming observation concerning the gynecology sector. Finding a practitioner nearby and reimbursed becomes an obstacle course.
Do you have a regular gynecologist, and at the basic social security rate? For many of you, the answer is probably no. According to a study by the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir, 9 out of 10 women do not have access to a sector 1 approved gynecologist. Added to this is the difficulty linked to the inhabited area: 23.6% of women live in a gynecological medical desert. An alarming state of affairs which directly impacts the health of women since this lack results in later screenings, an increase in female cancers and problems of untreated infections.
Less than 3 medical gynecologists per 100,000 women
In a global context of lack of access to care in certain regions of the territory, gynecological consultations are no exception. 77% of French departments do not have enough medical gynecologists, fourteen have only one left, thirteen departments no longer have any medical gynecologists, which means a drastic reduction in the prevention and management of women.
“One of the factors that explains this desertion is training: the numerus clausus has impacted all medical professions, including gynecologists, for years. In addition, practitioners work in degraded working conditions, the profession is becoming less and less attractive and young people are less interested in these specialties” regretted Annick Billon. Finally, the shortage of gynecologists makes replacement impossible.
What solutions are mentioned to benefit from better gynecological follow-up?
In a situation of profound change in the health system, certain solutions seem to be on the table to expand the offer accessible to patients.
“Some GPs hire medical assistants to handle administrative tasks, allowing them to spend more time with their patients, mentions the senator. In gynecology, we have also noticed that liberal midwives are settling in small towns, which makes it possible to respond in part to the difficulties of access to care.”
Solutions such as the implementation of itinerant medicine, such as buses or equipped and multidisciplinary trucks, offering women the most complete possible screenings can also meet certain needs, temporarily.
As for the overrun of fees, particularly marked in gynecology (up to 150 euros per consultation), the senator insists on the need and the urgency to find fair remuneration.