Government pursues closure of Numberus Apertus by 17th June: Health Implications Explained

Title: Expanding France's Medical Field: The Abolition of Numerus Apertus and Its Implications

Yannick Neuder, the Minister of Health and Access to Care, has declared his intention to abolish the Numerus Apertus system for medical education, effective from June 17. During an interview on France Inter, he expressed his belief that this move will lead to the training of more doctors.

In his announcement, Neuder highlighted his earlier proposal for such a change in October 2023, which was adopted by the National Assembly in December of the same year. The bill is scheduled for debate in the Senate on June 17, as per Neuder's statement.

The Numerus Apertus, which replaced the Numerus Clausus in 2020, remains "too restrictive," according to Neuder. The Numerus Clausus, also known as the "fixed number," was introduced in the 1970s, with the maximum number of students admitted to the second year of medical studies being fixed annually by a ministerial decree. In contrast, the Numerus Apertus, meaning "open number," is now determined by universities and regional health agencies, and represents the number of students who can access the second year of medical studies each year.

Bridging the Gap: Addressing Medical Deserts

If successfully abolished, the Numerus Apertus would be replaced with a system that fixes the number of second-year places according to "the territory's needs," as explained by Neuder. This change is part of the government's efforts to combat medical deserts, which afflict millions of French residents. Data from 2024 indicates that around six million French people lack a regular doctor, with over 87% of the territory being categorized as a medical desert.

The government's plan to improve the medical landscape includes better regulation of liberal doctors' installations, a measure that has met opposition from liberal doctors' organizations. Speaking on June 12, Neuder also mentioned the government's intention to welcome back French students who have studied medicine abroad due to limited opportunities in France.

Strengthening Mental Healthcare: An Increased Focus on Psychiatry

In parallel to the proposed changes, Neuder has expressed a desire to increase the number of students in psychiatry, referring to it as the "poor relation of the hospital." He emphasized the need for a strengthened mental health care system for the populace, particularly young people.

In line with this goal, the government aims to raise the number of psychiatry interns to 600, starting in 2027 (up from the current 500). The minister is also working to ensure that every medical and paramedical student can complete an internship in psychiatry during their training.

With these proposed changes, Neuder endeavors to modernize the French medical education system, increase the availability of doctors, and address the challenges presented by medical deserts and mental health care.

additional information:

Numerus Apertus: In essence, the Numerus Apertus system allows for an unlimited number of students to be admitted into a particular field of study, contrasting with the Numerus Clausus system, where admissions are restricted.
Medical Deserts: Medical deserts refer to areas with insufficient medical coverage, where access to healthcare services is limited or nonexistent. In France, research indicates that around six million people lack a regular doctor, and over 87% of the territory is classified as a medical desert.
Psychiatry: Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that deals with mental health and illness. As mentioned by the Minister of Health, there has been a call to strengthen psychiatric care and provide more opportunities for students to gain experience in the field.

As part of his plan to modernize France's medical education system, Minister Yannick Neuder aims to expand the training of mental health professionals in various health-and-wellness fields, including psychiatry, recognizing its importance for the overall well-being of the populace, particularly young people.
In an attempt to address medical deserts and improve access to healthcare services, Minister Yannick Neuder intends to abolish the Numerus Apertus system for medical education, replacing it with a more flexible system that adjusts the number of second-year places per field according to the territory's specific needs, thereby fostering employment opportunities in the science sector.

Government pursues closure of Numberus Apertus by 17th June: Health Implications Explained