If you plan to take up a medical career in France, become a vet.
The French health system has been praised for its ability to deliver superb care. The truth I have learnt living here is that the system, whilst undoubtedly serving the French people well, does not deliver particularly better care than the NHS does in the UK and costs a fortune. Not only do most working people have to pay for a supplementary private insurance to recoup medical costs, the social security system is in major deficit.
At the same time doctors earn a fraction of the money their counterparts in Britain bring home.
When I have to see my GP here - a Secteur II doctor who charges more than the basic GP - she charges me €39 for a consultation and it is these fees which make up her income. The Social security refund me about €15 and the rest needs to come from my supplementary arrangements.
My dog has an eye problem and I took him to the vets this evening. The vet diagnosed canine conjunctivitis, administered an antibiotic, prescribed an eye bath and an ointment and relieved me of €132. His fee is €69. The rest was for the medicines - because a vet is also a pharmacist, so he gets a cut of that, too. Leaving aside the the fact that the social security do not cover dogs - I would not dream of suggesting the taxpayer should - the consultation is almost double the cost of the GP. There is no additional supplement to the GP's income. So if you are studying medicine in France, make sure you become a vet!
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