The Court of Auditors released a scathing report on Monday, criticizing the French government’s policies on addressing medical shortages. The report highlighted various strategies implemented in other countries that could lead to better access to healthcare for all. One such strategy mentioned was the removal of the compulsory medical certificate for short-term sick leave and replacing it with a simple patient self-declaration. This would shift the burden of verification to employers and create a more efficient system.
According to the Court’s report, 20% of general practitioners’ time is wasted on administrative tasks, including dealing with unnecessary medical certificates for short illnesses. Despite efforts to reduce this administrative burden over the past decade, the problem persists. Comparable countries like Great Britain and Quebec in Canada have successfully transitioned to a system where very short work stoppages do not require medical certificates. Instead, patients can make a declaration, freeing up doctors to focus on more pressing medical matters.
Minister of Health Frédéric Valletoux expressed openness to implementing such reforms in France, acknowledging the need to free up medical time for more important tasks. The government is considering this avenue as a way to address the ongoing healthcare crisis in the country. By shifting responsibility to employers and developing new mechanisms for monitoring absences, France could create a more efficient and patient-focused healthcare system.
Overall, the Court of Auditors’ report serves as a wake-up call for policymakers in France to reassess their approach to addressing medical shortages and streamlining healthcare processes. It is crucial for policymakers to consider innovative strategies from other countries and prioritize patient well-being and healthcare provider needs when making decisions about healthcare policy reforms.
By implementing these reforms, France has the potential significantly improve access to care and alleviate some of the burdens on its already strained healthcare system.
