Liberal doctors, particularly active in Mayenne, are in full mobilization. A significant strike movement was observed, marking an intense protest against the current conditions of medical practice.
A contested consultation rate
At the heart of the dispute is the consultation rate. Fixed at 25 euros, an increase to 26.50 euros is planned for November 1st. Dr Luc Duquesnelgeneral practitioner in Mayenne and president of the general practitioners of the CSMF, expresses the dissatisfaction of the profession, insisting on the fact that this price does not reflect the real investment of doctors in patient care.
Medical unions are demanding an increase to 30 euros.
Negotiations on hold
Doctors are impatiently awaiting the resumption of negotiations with Health Insurance. A letter from the Minister of Health, Aurélien Rousseau, is particularly awaited, this one should define the main directions of future negotiations and possibly meet the expectations of doctors.
The challenges of liberal medicine
Liberal medicine faces many challenges. Since 2010, a drop of 11.8% in the number of independent doctors has been observed. This decrease is all the more worrying as some doctors are experiencing financial difficulties, some having even been forced to borrow to cover their practice expenses.
The question of succession arises. Many private doctors are approaching retirement age, and it seems difficult to find who will take over. Young doctors, initially oriented towards general medicine, turn to other specialties after their first internships, suggesting a worsening of the shortage of general practitioners.
Laws deemed coercive
Doctors also express their concerns regarding certain legislative proposals, including the Valletoux law. They believe that these laws could impose excessive constraints, such as compulsory guard duty at public hospitals, without providing effective solutions to the problems of access to care and medical deserts.
Towards a redefinition of liberal medicine?
Doctors aspire to a liberal medicine that is attractive and allows them to provide quality care. However, they observe an evolution in care models, with the emergence of structures such as Unscheduled Care Centers, which seem to offer a more profitable alternative, but less focused on patient monitoring.
The mobilization of private doctors reflects a deep concern for the future of local medicine in France. The days to come could be decisive, particularly depending on the responses provided by the government and Health Insurance.
