Published on
Updated
Reading 2 mins.
While the Assembly has just validated the 4th year of internship in the medical deserts, the National Academy of Medicine unveils its first recommendations to improve access to care for the French.
This week, the National Academy of Medicine released its first recommendations for “medically under-dense areas.” Update on the measures announced.
Citizen service, financial incentives and experiences abroad
In a press release, validated by its members of the Board of Directors, the National Academy of Medicine (ANM) shares the summary of its reflections.
Its rapporteurs, Pr Patrice Queneau and Pr Rissane Ourabah detail their recommendations “to promote and facilitate medical practice” in areas in need of health professionals.
If a large number echo proposals from the government, unions or even professional organizations, some are more surprising, like the first recommendation.
The Academy of Medicine recommends to “urgently set up a one-year medical citizen service for all newly graduated doctorse”.
“The objective is obviously to find a quick and effective solution to this dramatic shortage. Nevertheless, we do not wish to interfere with the freedom of installation of young graduates. It is part of the foundation of liberal medicine. This is why the regional character of this service is underlined. Young doctors will be able to stay in their region, so as to preserve their personal life“, says Professor Patrice Queneau.
Another key measure of this report: “diversify the territorial and social origin of students and motivate them through an information and support policy from high school“, by multiplying positive French and foreign experiences.
“It is a solution that has worked in the Hauts de France, a region strongly affected by the lack of doctors. In high schools, young people were informed and made aware of this subject and in the end, it paid off. Young people have become doctors and mobilized in the villages.”
Increase fees by 20% in deserts
To facilitate early settlements, the ANM suggests the implementation of various measures: implementation of a one-stop shop for the various administrative and supervisory bodies; precise mapping of territorial needs; installation bonuses increased and secured over time… and even a 20% increase in the fees of all doctors – maintained 2 or 3 years after the end of classification in an under-dense zone.
But these financial incentives are not the only levers of the ANM. “Reinforce the safety of doctors in sensitive areas” is an axis to which the teacher is attached.
“This is an absolutely crucial point. Doctors and in particular women doctors who settle in peri-urban areas must be protected. They must be able to benefit from effective security measures, such as the immediate arrival of the police in the event of a call..”
To facilitate the daily life of doctors, the ANM also calls for “removing administrative obstacles” to give them back “caregiver time”.
But for Dr. Kierzek, the real question lies elsewhere.
“You have to wonder why doctors are deserting. If they do, it’s because they’re alone, stuck, without bridges and without prospects for development. You have to make a choice at 25 and stay there. All of these factors—combined with the fact that college medical training is elitist and denigrating—make the job of GP unattractive. Ditto, on the side of outpatient internships, I do not think this is the solution: these experiences can disgust students. What is needed is to re-enchant the care professions. We are also witnessing deserts in hospitals or in other specialties. If the doctors are happy, then the patients will be happy..”