Abolition of numerus clausus in France

Our findings

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In France, since 1971, an annual decree has set the number of places available in the second year of medical studies. The numerus clausus, so dreaded by aspiring dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, midwives and doctors, used to operate a drastic selection process among applicants. However, it has been decided to abolish it in 2019.

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Numerus clausus: the end of students' nightmare

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Every year, thousands of first-year medical students ask themselves the crucial question: how many will be allowed to go on to the second year? Yes, in addition to being a particularly difficult exam, the PACES (First Year Common to Health Studies) is highly selective. It's not enough to be good, you have to be the best. But that's all history now.

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Indeed, the Health Law, passed in the summer of 2019, abolished this compulsory first year as well as the famous numerus clausus. In concrete terms, it is no longer a ministerial decree that sets the number of students eligible for the second year from the 60,000 or so applicants, but the faculties themselves, and the Regional Health Agencies.

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The aim of this reform is to radically transform the healthcare system, by combating student malaise due to the regulatory system, which frequently leads to depression and even suicide, and by offering several access routes to diversify profiles. The main objective is to combat medical deserts.

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At Tessanwe understand this problem. That's why we've designed connected medical booths that allow you to consult a healthcare professional from anywhere.

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Eliminating the numerus clausus: a false solution?

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We work every day to develop telemedicine on a large scale. For if the term " numerus clausus " disappears, it is above all symbolic.

In fact, since the aim of the reform is to rebalance the distribution of doctors and other professionals across the country, the Regional Health Agencies will still set the number of people eligible for each course according to need. Furthermore, faculties will only be able to accept more students if they have the means to do so. In other words, the premises to receive them and the professors to teach them. However, the funding allocated is not sufficient to meet these needs. As for internships, it's already difficult to find a place in hospitals. It's only going to get harder!

Selection will probably be less drastic, but getting into the second year won't be easy.

What's more, the three new access routes to health studies - the PASS (Parcours Spécifique Accès Santé), the Licence Option Accès Santé (LAS) and the Auxiliaire Médical - are relatively different in terms of teaching. Entering the second year is likely to be a real headache in terms of getting the different profiles up to speed.

A long-term solution

By implementing this reform, the then Minister of Health, Agnès Buzyn, hoped to increase the number of doctors by 20%. Even if this number, which represents more of an ideal, were to be achieved, the first results would not be effective for another decade. After all, it takes ten long years of study to become a doctor.

The problem of medical desertification is, however, a very real one. And it's getting worse. Health care provision is highly uneven across the country, and well below the population's needs in many regions. While increasing the number of students studying medicine cannot be called into question as a solution, it will not train " the doctors of tomorrow " in the true sense of the word.

Country villages can't wait that long. Patients need to be treated today. It's unthinkable to have to wait several months to see a specialist, or to travel many kilometers to see a general practitioner. That's why we offer a teleconsultation solution with a general practitioner.

Thanks to its connected solutions, Tessan creates a link between the professional and the patient, wherever they may be. Our medical cabins can be installed in any pharmacy.

Your community doesn't have one? We also offer connected mobile terminals so that your residents can benefit from telemedicine in the town hall. A fast solution for access to healthcare, because health doesn't wait!

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