French doctors and medical interns were on strike Monday and they are planning demonstrations across the country Tuesday to protest against bill in the National Assembly and government proposals aimed at addressing the problem of medical deserts, which they say puts undue constraints on the profession.
A large part of the medical profession has denounced the proposals as ineffective, adding constraints that open the door to what they say is the end of their independence and freedom to work where they want.
Doctors in private practice currently can open a practice anywhere, working independently within the public health system.
But many parts of the country do not attract enough doctors, creating what are called medical deserts, where patients have to travel far or wait a long time to access healthcare.
Added to the problem is a general lack of doctors in France due to a cut in the 1990s in the number allowed to graduate from medical schools each year.
Even as the quotas have been increased, it will take time for the medical corps to rebuild.
In the meantime, proposals such as the bill put forward by Socialist lawmaker Guillaume Garot, are trying to address the shortage in care.
The bill would regulate where doctors can open new practices. In areas with enough doctors, they will only be allowed to set up if a doctor retires, and with authorisation from the regional health agency.
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Logisitical challenges
While the bill’s first article was adopted by a large majority at the start of April, the rest will be debated next week, before it is sent to the Senate.
Bayrou, who does not support the bill, presented his own plan last week, which would require doctors in areas around medical deserts to travel, and consult with patients outside their own offices “one or two days a month” to fill the gaps.
Some doctors welcome the idea.
"It would be a good idea because it would remove the logistical issues," Anna Boctor, president of the young doctors' union told RFI.
Reforms to address France's 'medical deserts' pit doctors against nurses
She said the proposal would allow doctors to open a practice where they want, while meeting the needs of under-served areas.
But doctors’ unions have protested against this requirement, arguing against constraints on a profession already stretched thin by a lack of resources.
"It's something that could scare some, and would diminish our capacity even more," Nicolas Virginie, a medical intern, told RFI, warning that constraints might drive people away from the profession.
"Should we really address the issue with an obligation, when it's really a question of a lack of resources? I don't think so."
