FRENCH CULTURE SHOCKS I Health Care Edition I Did These Things SHOCK you?

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Happy Holidays Everyone! I LOVE the french healthcare system but some things really surprised me about it! What about you guys? Especially our French watchers, anything that surprises you even when you grew up with the system? Sending everyone lots of holiday cheer! ❤

[@Lindirion]

Hello, pour les urgences tu appelles SOS médecins ou les Urgences médicales de Paris (UMP).

[@neofil69]

Hello, If Eleonore have some troubles, you should visit the "Urgences pédiatriques". ;)

[@j-loosenfout67]

Bonjour Kate (j'espère ne pas me tromper sur le prénom lol), moi ce qui me surprend, c'est justement ce qui vous, vous enchante. En effet, je trouve que le nombre de pharmacies dans les villes est disproportionné. Les français sont les plus gros consommateurs d'anxiolytiques et somnifères du Monde, voire même de médicaments. Et je pense que cette profusion de pharmacies n'est pas sans conséquence sur cet état de fait. Dans le même ordre d'idées, la deuxième chose qui me surprend en tant que français est que vous ne pouvez pas aller voir un médecin en France sans obligatoirement ressortir avec une ordonnance de plusieurs lignes et avec souvent des traitements étalés dans le temps. Là encore, j'ai quand même un peu l'impression qu'on pousse à la consommation ici. C'est même tellement abusé qu'une quantité phénoménale de médicaments non pris sont ramenés dans les pharmacies pour ensuite être revendus ou donnés à des associations qui s'occupent des pays du tiers-monde. Ils ne sont même pas remboursés à la sécu. Ce sont les mutuelles qui paient la facture (et bien sûr nous par rebond). C'est devenu un véritable business ! La troisième chose qui là par contre me choque, c'est qu'il y a des différences de prix énormes d'un pharmacien à l'autre. Pourtant les médicaments ne sont pas des produits de consommation courante. Et comme la publicité est interdite aux pharmaciens, il est très compliqué de savoir qui est le moins cher sur tel ou tel autre médicament. Le problème est que, comme vous l'expliquez si bien dans cette vidéo, nous sommes en France, très bien remboursés si on a une mutuelle en plus de la sécu. Ce qui fait que les gens n'y prêtent pas trop attention et ne font pas jouer la concurrence. Résultat, une fois de plus, le prix des cotisations des mutuelles augmentent à notre détriment mais au profit des pharmaciens les plus vénaux et des fabricants de médicaments. Et enfin pour terminer, mais en restant toujours sur cette même idée de surconsommation, je trouve étrange que de plus en plus de pharmacies ressemblent à de véritables petits supermarchés de la parapharmacie. On en voit même maintenant qui vous proposent un petit caddie à l'entrée ...On croit rêver ! Là encore, le résultat est que pour des problèmes de stockage et de place réservée à cette parapharmacie, les médicaments réels eux sont souvent indisponibles. J'ai ce type de pharmacie juste à côté de chez moi. Et de très nombreuses fois, quand je viens avec une ordonnance, la moitié des médicaments ne sont pas disponibles et on vous les commande. Ce qui vous oblige à revenir le lendemain ou quelques jours plus tard. Ce qui est quand même un comble pour une échoppe censée avant tout vendre des médicaments et qui dispose d'une telle surface en mètres carrés ! Voilà, c'était un peu long, mais il y avait beaucoup à dire. ...Le plein de "super" pour cette nouvelle année à vous et vos proches. Amitiés.

[@shoszannah]

Coucou, à part les SOS médecins, tu as aussi plusieurs centres de santé qui te prennent sans rdv en urgence,sans dépassement d'honoraires.

[@pls1092]

@@j-loosenfout67 le prix des medicaments pris en charge sont les mêmes partout, pour meme molecule meme labo. Les prix peuvent varier lorsqu'ils sont achetes sans ordonnance, en general presentation differente. La nomenclature des medicaments est gigantesque impossible d'avoir un gros stock . En general reapro sous 12 à 24 h, sinon vous pouvez toujours aller voir ailleur pour les manquants.

[@anitahubbard8558]

My culture shock was how inexpensive the emergency room visit was in Paris. As I was complaining on to going the emergency room I thought I would be bankrupt and have to live on Ramon noodles for the rest of my 30 day stay. I was so shocked when they told me the cost. Another shock was that the emergency room doctor followed up with a call later that night to see how I was doing. I was already in love with Paris and this made my heart grow fonder.😍

[@Lwena]

The French are very concerned about the protection of their personal data, in particular as regards health. This is why paper prescriptions are still very common, and centralized medical records only exist on a voluntary basis.

[@jean-michelgaiffe3834]

agreed, and more, this is a security. Without papaer prescription, you may have some people refilled for others or what ever... Nothing is 100% safe but this is kind of "second level" of securtity I think... Even some pharma still do not accept home printed prescription (and I live in Paris) because of security troubles !

[@ivabasquill5764]

It wasn’t that long ago in the U.S. that we used paper prescriptions-I’d say 90s or early 2000s.

[@Clery75019]

Many French people actually like paper prescriptions, because it allows them to buy medication multiple times in different pharmacies, so that they can build a reserve at home. Social security actually wants to set up electronic prescriptions mainly for that purpose, so that products would only be bought once. It's not really a matter of convenience. Frankly, bringing a piece of paper to the pharmacy of your choice isn't that much of a hassle compared to giving your social security card so that the pharmacist would check what you got on the computer. As a matter of fact, paper version is actually faster. Yet, it allows abuses.

[@Jesus-The-Everlasting-Father]

Over here in the US, patient’s personal informations in the Pharmacy are very protected, they are very classified. Paper prescriptions still exists too in the US.

[@lapinmalin8626]

@@Clery75019 je tenterais pas ce genre de chose c'est un coup à avoir de gros emmerdements

[@duke3572]

En France pour les cas "non-urgent" mais urgents quand même vous avez SOS Medecins soit à domicile soit dans leurs maisons médicales. La ou j'habite par exemple si vous appelez le 15 et s'ils estiment que ce n'est pas une urgence non vitale ils vont vous diriger vers la maison médicale de SOS Medcin qui est situé le plus proche de chez vous

[@meality]

It was always super weird for me that you can buy chips or soda in pharmacies in the US... Like why would you sell such unhealthy stuff in a place that is supposed to revolve around your health ? ^^

[@MyLittleGreenHairdedMermaid]

Up until about a 10 years ago, you could go buy cigarettes in a Canadian Pharmacy. The joke was to get to the actual pharmacy you'd have to walk all the way to the back of the store, but if you want cigarettes that destroy you're health they are up at the front for convenience

[@honeyfitz3791]

This is a business strategy called "Mixed Merchandising." Many retailers in the USA. do not specialize. They will carry all sorts of merchandise unrelated to their primary line of goods, if they think it will increases their sales revenue by a few percentage points.

[@thevaughntestkitchen6045]

@@MyLittleGreenHairdedMermaid Until about 4 years ago, you could buy cigarettes in pharmacy chains here in California. And they only stopped selling cigarettes for marketing purposes, not because laws banned sales of tobacco in pharmacies. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same chains sell tobacco in their stores in other states. And even here, they still sell tons of junk food - chips, candy, etc. Not exactly the « health-focused » vibe you’d expect at a pharmacy.

[@tibal3710]

@@honeyfitz3791 exactly why some retailers have been fighting to end the pharmacy monopole over drugs (prescription or not). They are saying to make the prices drop but first prices and margins for the supply chain are legally defined for prescription drugs and second I would like to see them negociate with big pharma worth billions of dollars who already have 23.000 selling points in France.

[@heyitsAxone]

@@honeyfitz3791 business strategy in the same sentences as "pharmacy" seems soooo odd to me

[@SamFournier]

I absolutely love the pharmacies in France, I can spend an hour there just browsing all the products. The pharmacists are always so sweet and helpful too. I’m still waiting on my card Vitale so I can go to the doctor’s here in France. I can’t wait for the free healthcare!🤗

[@hugob203]

I totally understand. And pharmacists know a lot, I have friends who study pharmacy and they learn a lot of medical stuff, huge amounts of knowledge on drugs, but also on plants and mushrooms. In the city I live in, all pharmacy student need to be able to identify mushrooms, so if you ever go out searching for mushrooms and find one that makes you doubt just go to a pharmacy they will probably be able to help you.

[@watchtellyinuk]

It's NOT free. Nothing is free. You pay for it via your taxes.

[@Jesus-The-Everlasting-Father]

@@hugob203 It’s normal in Europe to educate their people about mushrooms.

[@francocanuck9435]

@@watchtellyinuk Yes and yes everybody go along, unless you prefer the Americans systems

[@francocanuck9435]

@@watchtellyinuk Yes and you benefit too ,unless you prefer the Americans system ,and take the chance to mortgage your house

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

Ohhhh yes, I love French health care. As time goes on I'm doing more and more procedures and appointments here instead of at home. I don't have tons of experience but in the experience I do have, the French doctors seem to treat the whole person more than just the disease. I also have an autoimmune disorder that I have to get monitored regularly and my American doctor (my old one) was just all about the numbers and didn't seem to give that much of a shit about my quality of life. The French doctor is all about my comfort levels and seems genuinely concerned about how I'm feeling day-to-day. Another amazing and lucky thing is that I seem to have hit the jackpot with my French team - they are some of the highest-regarded specialists in the world for what I have. They even came up with a diagnosing system called the "Paris standards" that is used worldwide now. I absolutely understand now where our bloated costs in the U.S. come from. When I realize that every single doctor's appointment at home includes weighing me, taking my blood pressure, etc., a whole procedure, and here you just go into a room, have a conversation, maybe do a quick check of something if necessary, and you're done. Not every doctor's visit needs to be like checking into a hospital! One small note though, I have to do regular blood tests too, and my system in the U.S. is like it is in France. I have to go to a separate lab to get all the blood tests, with a prescription, etc. Would be awesome if I didn't have to do that!

[@acaciagrace6585]

This is very good to know especially since I too have an autoimmune disease and am considering south France as my new home in the future

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

@@acaciagrace6585 Oh, I'm glad that was helpful! Yes, I was so excited when I was starting to do my research on doctors in France specializing in my disease, and I stumbled across an entire network throughout the country, based in Paris. What a relief it was!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Such a good point about. making it more affordable to see your general doctor when it doesn't mean you have to do everything there. A really interesting way of looking at it that i hadn't seen before!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Also huge huge fan of the system here too!

[@anaisc8733]

@@acaciagrace6585 One thing for sure, the health care price will always be low in France than the US and with good quality.

[@elcoeda]

Urgent care exists in France, they're called Maison medicale de garde. In Lyon we also have an urgent care consultation for kids.

[@brunobillion3435]

The important thing about the number of pharmacies in France is that they're the only places where you can buy ANY drugs, even aspirin. You can't buy drugs in supermarkets. Also, they're the first level medical advice for most anything. You've got something but you don't think it's worth making an appointment with the doctor? You ask the pharmacist: they can give you medical advice and basic treatments for most things (with the "if it doesn't get better in xx days, see a doctor" advice on top).

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

So true. I'm so close to my pharmacists! 😂

[@florianandre6891]

I think (at least in cities) that between the emergencies and the physician office there is "SOS médecin" (it's for instance during the night, or when you can't move, it's a bit urgent but not enought to the hospital emergencies). You call the emergencies, and they will send you a doctor and some medications at your house in 1~2 hours. I only used it once when I has a strong flu with 40.5°c of fever with paracetamol, and one and a half hour later their was a doctor in my studio, he diagnosed a flu, gave a me 2 ibuprofene (1 now and 1 for the morning) and gave me a prescription for it. I was even able to attend the lectures the next day ^^

[@georgiancrossroads]

Thanks Kate. I've had several French health care moments. #1 - I had to get an American cast removed. Scary, but memorable and inexpensive. #2 - I had a very painful toothache and was traveling the next day, a friend took me to her doctor and they nudged a little bit and got me a prescription for antibiotics in her name. A human doctor, like the one I used to have in Alaska. #3 - Pharmacies where antacids are a prescription drug and I didn't have a prescription. By the way here in Georgia one doesn't need a prescription for anything. Overall I gave the French system high marks... except for, as you pointed out, the bureaucracy.

[@rushellrousseau9197]

To be fair, the inefficiency is because it is a system to serve the people not a business to maximise profits. It is a bit like that here in Trinidad where we also have universal health care. We can't get it all :) Enjoyed your video too (as usual)! Also we don't have urger care either, we just go to the emergency room aha I had no clue that such an intermediary existed

[@jessicachamand8490]

Since we can choose any pharmacy we want, it is a plus to have a prescription form. That way not every pharmacy in France knows what kind of drug your taking. And when you travel, you can pick another in a different region and be able to have your medicine. Much more private and secure

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

It's pretty easy to get a prescription transferred to another pharmacy if you need to in the states. And because Pharmacies are often chains, it's easy to fill a prescription anywhere. But I can understand in France that it gives a feeling of privacy, though i would much prefer the efficiency over privacy. I think it's my American side showing ;)

[@jessicachamand8490]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified i do understand your point of view. I believe that in France we get both. It is still very efficient. But I am sure a paper free form could be worked out whilst maintaining privacy.

[@zedwarf55]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified efficiency would be to have all your prescriptions and exams and test result on a folder attached to your carte vitale, then you could show up anywhere, swipe your card and have your refill paper-free.

[@anonyme4881]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified You can open what we call a "dossier pharmaceutique du patient" that will give access to your prescription by using your "carte vital" in any pharmacie. Just be sure to scan your prescription to be safe, since 99% of pharmacie wants to keep a trace of it. The only restriction are drugs that needs an "Ordonnace sécurisé" which are nearly all narcotic drugs. The prescription needs to be hand written, and in a special Ordonnance You can complete it with a "dossier médical dématérialisé" to have every health issue and medical test accessible with your "carte vitale" These option arent widely used in France because we love our health privacy. But they exist for patient with heavy disease or for people who doesnt care about privacy

[@anonyme4881]

@@zedwarf55 It exist, its called "Dossier pharmaceutique" and "Dossoer médical dématérialisé" You need to create it yourself

[@MrCracou]

1) The number of pharmacies is regulated. It's limited by the number of people in a given city (basically no more than one per 10.000 or something like that). 2) Pharmacies sell ONLY prescriptions and thinks like that, per law. 3) Pharmacies are run ONLY by a pharmacist (meaning PhD in pharmacy and as a consequence you can only run one as, per law, you need to be available ) 4) they are in charge of checking the prescription. The doctor writes but the pharmacist is in charge of the double check and might call your doctor to check why a given drug was given with another one and so on. 5) doctors are FORBIDDEN to recommend you a pharmacy, per law. They have to remain neutral. They will not send any email. The paper that you hold is a specific paper with some safeties inside (specific ink and so on) to prevent fakes, especially when there are strong/expensive medecine. They scan it for safety (each paper is numbered so the central system can check that there is no duplicate nor missing page).

[@Ekitchi0]

It's true paper prescriptions are a bit inefficient but you get the flexibility to go to whatever pharmacy is the most convenient to you. You don't have to go back to the same one every time .

[@Galadrielle532]

We do have Urgent Care in France and the shocking thing is that nobody knows it exists. They're called "Maisons médicales de garde" and we can find them in big cities and in some smaller cities. But as always, the government is actively cutting off their funds so that they can't work properly anymore and makes no publicity so no one goes there and they can close them down!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I had really no idea they existed! What a shame!!

[@heyitsAxone]

I've always had a Maison Médicale near me, even in small towns near Montpellier or waaay far back in the lands. Sometimes that's all there is (désert médical my love...)

[@lisek4224]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified And you can also just go to a pharmacy. Pharmacists are trained ( learning to diagnose is a part of their training) so you can describe your symptoms to them and they will tell you what treatment to use (and that you can have without a prescription).I've done it a lot of time for fevers, nauseas, stomach aches, eczema and plenty of other things. A pharmacist can tell you if they think the situation is serious or not.

[@lapinmalin8626]

ils n'existent que dans les grandes villes

[@aldonastraczek]

Pharmacies everywhere is only in big cities. There is an obligation to have a pharmacy every few thousand people. Regarding urgent care. We are trying to fight this bobologie use of the ER as there actually is an urgen care system in the shape of GPs who consult with no appointments and SOS médecin. Totally with you on the paper prescriptions, it's such a pain especially since the whole process is already digitized through the carte vitale.

[@lapinmalin8626]

à la campagne on a même pas de médecin donc SOS médecin :')

[@bethm1394]

I think others have mentioned this, but there is a form of urgent care called SOS Médecins (I had a roommate with a 6mo old once and I remember her talking about "if he doesn't improve soon, I'm calling SOS Médecins") And I've actually used it a few times myself - once in Paris, where the doctor came to where I was staying to check me out (about an hour after I called, the dispatcher gives you estimate of time) and once in Caen, where they actually have an urgent care center for SOS Médecins, so the dispatcher gave me an appointment for in an hour and I went to see the doctor. For pharmacies, though they don't have obvious chains like in the US, there are actually pharmacie affiliations like "univers pharmacie" or "aprium" and they sometimes have the option of uploading your prescription to have to ready to pick up at one of their partner pharmacies. Also, it might be anathema to bring this up to your doctor, but have you considered asking if she can give you the blood test order in advance so you can show up to the next check up with your results? That's how I handled my situation in the US, so when I moved to France I explained that and my specialist would give me the order to get get my tests done a certain number of times before the next appointment and I would usually get my tests done the week before etc so we had the results to discuss the day of my appointment.

[@thevaughntestkitchen6045]

We used SOS Médecins on a vacation in Paris a few years ago when my husband got eColi. We were told it would be 45 minutes to an hour, but the doctor actually arrived to our rental apartment within 30 minutes. He even brought a portable EKG machine and medications. Total cost was about €130, for exam and first dose of 5 prescription medications. Granted, a lot more than going to a French doctor’s office, but compared to the US? Way cheaper. It probably would cost at least $200 for a foreign tourist in the US to go to Urgent Care. And when we filled the prescriptions at a pharmacy in Paris? €25 for five prescriptions! That probably would have cost hundreds of dollars in the US without insurance, and even insurance co-pays would have been around $50.

[@goosebump801]

@@thevaughntestkitchen6045 Wow - thanks for sharing your story!

[@ankra12]

Paper prescription? Are you living in the 90’s? We do everything at the doctors office and get the result there. We can also just have a doctors appointment online. Everything is done electronic when it comes to prescriptions and I just go online to renew it as well.

[@flirtinggracefullplatypus8496]

you can describe your symptoms to your pharmacist they are not just seller they have a medical training. they can give you the right nonprescription medicine, advise you on alternative medicine and help you discriminate when you actually need to go see a doctor. also they 're suppose to help with mushrooms.

[@2303EK]

That's how it is at least in 70% of Europe, not only in France

[@Titri79]

Well we do have ER, it's just that the lack of doctors/nurses combined with French people going there for any little things make it inefficient now. People would rather go there than pay for SOS médecins or "le médecin de garde".

[@DavidWatson-g1c]

The Green Illuminated Pharmicie sign by law must stand out from the building so that it can be seen from the end of the street.

[@barmag8802]

Tu n'as pas de Maison Médicale de Garde? C'est très pratique, pour les cas de fièvres, de douleurs et que ni SOS médecin, ni ton médecin généraliste, ne peuvent s'occuper de toi. Il faut juste prendre rendez-vous avec celle qui est la plus proche de chez toi et je crois que c'est ouvert le soir, et jusqu'à minuit. Et ça évite d'aller embouteiller les urgences. Ma soeur avait perdu l'appétit et se plaignait de douleurs au ventre, c'était un samedi après-midi, j'ai appelé la Maison Médicale de Garde à côté de chez nous, reçue tout de suite, et après des tests sanguins, elle a été dirigée aux urgences pour une infection, avec un courrier du toubib de la Maison Médicale de Garde (avec les résulats sanguins) pour expliquer son cas et un médecin des urgences l'a reçue en priorité. J'aurais pu aller aux urgences tout de suite mais je préfère éviter tant que ça n'a pas l'air dangereux ou qu'il y a besoin de radios, plâtres, ce genre de trucs.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Franchement, je n'ai jamais entendu parler de Maison Médicale de Garde. Je pense que ca ressemble exactement nos urgent care aux États Unis, donc trop cool!

[@barmag8802]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified Il me semble que les maisons médicales de garde sont récentes. J'habite dans une grande ville (Lyon) et les urgences sont souvent pleines et SOS médécin durs à joindre. Donc la maison médicale de garde m'a bien rendue service, surtout que la mienne est située à 2 minutes de chez moi. Je pense que tu peux jeter un coup d'oeil sur internet pour voir si tu en as une près de chez toi.

[@carolinefiorentini3233]

For emergencies you can phone "SOS Medecin" or the number of the local "Maison médicale de garde". Also before going to the local ER, you can phone the SAMU (15) and they will advice you

[@DavidMichaelCommer]

Interesting...I live in Washington, D.C. and a lot of what you describe is similar here. I live in the residential Kalorama neighborhood, and my dentist's office is on the ground floor of an apartment building across the street. My doctors in suburban Northern Virginia mostly drew blood themselves, but my doctors here do not. I see the doctor, leave with lab orders, go to Quest or Lapcorp for testing, receive the results online and either discuss briefly by email with my doctor or else make a follow-up appointment. We have a CVS on literally every block, although I suppose because there are so many of them, some don't contain a pharmacy and are effectively just convenience stores. And when I moved into the city in 2010, I couldn't find a single urgent care center and I called about 40 doctors' offices before I found one that would see a new patient. I had severe neurological problems developing at that time and still no one would see me because they were at full capacity; they said to go to the ER if it was life threatening. It took close to six months to find a doctor. Now, 12 years later, two different hospital centers have annexed urgent care centers all over the city and they are always nearby and convenient. I wonder if any of the peculiarities you discuss here may be specific to Paris rather than to France generally?

[@sylvaintaif8128]

Good remark ! It's generally very different between Paris v the rest.. But I'd say it doesn't apply here. I've lived in a small town near Brest (west), in Toulon (south) and now Lyon (east) - and I've had the chance to travel a bit thanks to work, family and friends in various parts of France and this depiction of the doctors and the pharmacists could fit in most places.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Interesting to hear its similar in washington! I didn't live in a big city in the US so maybe some of my experience is related to that. Though i do feel that ive lived in a lot of different size cities in France so most of this isn't just paris related.

[@Ripoublique]

Except that most French people living outside large cities pay very heavily for health and do not benefit from it. France is a medical desert where most doctors refuse to take new patients and where the deadlines for an appointment can take up to 2 or 3 years. Most French people are poorly looked after except those who live in large cities like Paris. I find it really unfortunate that foreigners only see France through Paris when Paris represents nothing of France. It was an important point. The contributions are enormous, but we cannot benefit from them (for lack of doctors) where then there are waiting times of two or three years for a simple consultation.Foreigners often reflect on the state of French teeth. You have the answer with my comment it has become impossible to have an appointment with a dentist.

[@marinelab]

I understand about having everything done at the same place, on the other hand, my experience in the US is that my doctor doesn't really know me, 90% of the interactions are made by nurses, which makes it complicated to ask in depth questions when your doctor just sees you 5 min (in and out between 2 patients.) It's like a dance, you see a first nurse, then you fill tones of papers, then they move you to another place where another nurse is there, then the doctor comes in, reads quickly your infos, lives, another nurse comes in to do the job. The time you have questions, he/she is gone. Ps:the dog in the office, I've never seen that, she is probably not allowed to do that, so creepy! Also, not every doctor works in a clean clinic in the US. Doctor offices are often in buildings or a one floor home/office i that look like apartments, often in little malls between a Karate club and a nail salon. Also the fact that the prescription is directly sent to the pharmacy seems convenient especially if you always go to the same place, on the other hand you don't get to choose your pharmacy, if you are not in town your are screwed.

[@bethm1394]

I've never felt that my doctor didn't know me in the US (but I'm from a small town, though I'd say the same for specialists I saw in the city) And I definitely prefer the french setup, unless you're hospitalized or have an appointment at a hospital, you see the doctor and that's it (even at the hospital, you usually just have to check with registration when you get there). I really don't miss the US format of 1. Wait, See the secretary, wait 2. Have a nurse take your vitals, ask information, leave you in a room, wait 3. See the doctor, doctor leaves, wait 4. Nurse comes back with prescriptions etc then you probably have to go back to the secretary to schedule a new appointment/pay etc I'm sure it can be a bit stressful, since most non-specialists I've been to don't have secretaries (and sometimes answer the phone during the consultation), but it seems more personal/less industrial and in some ways more efficient Sidenote : In France I've had 2 GPs who had their (small) dog with them - in general, dogs in France are very well trained, so at the doctor's office, they stayed by her feet under the desk :)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

It's a seriously good point about not knowing your doctor in the US. I didn't really think about it but you spend so much time with their nurses, that you know them better than the doctor!

[@carolinefiorentini3233]

The localisation of Pharmacies isn't random but set by a rule : at least 1 pharmacie for 2500 inhabitants then a new pharamacie is allowed to settle in a town or a neighorhood every 4500 inhabitants. It's considered a public service that's why it's so much regulated

[@sesskenshin]

Prescriptions in France might not be efficient but it respects your privacy by making the information not available to anyone with access to the health care system

[@thelittlemoonpie8934]

En quoi c'est plus sécurisé ? D'une part il existe déjà des plateformes d'ordonnances en ligne mais qui sont trop peu utilisées, d'autre part ces plateformes sont évidemment sécurisées... Le papier c'est galère si le patient a une pathologie chronique et qu'il doit faire attention à bien garder son ordo ou sinon il devra retourner chez le médecin. La France est vraiment en retard sur les dossiers électroniques des patients...

[@cmolodiets]

on moins avec le papier tu sais ce que tu vas acheter. Tu as le loisir de chercher sur internet le prix, l'utilité, les effets secondaires de la drogue qu'on ta prescrite. t'as pas la surprise en arrivant a la pharmacie

[@sesskenshin]

@@thelittlemoonpie8934 ah bon? Avec les piratages de plus en plus fréquents des systèmes américains, je ne suis pas d’accord. Le risque de l’informatique c’est que les assurances privées mettent la main sur notre dossier personnel et refusent de nous vendre des mutuels

[@gabrielapaolavelizponce2050]

I must say that im grateful with the french goverment and healthcare system. I make an appointment with the doctor in a hospital and the attention and the 2 session i had was free.As a foreigner i would have expected a fucking high price but didnt happen so im happy with france

[@carolinemauduy3913]

I actually preferred to have my paper prescription because if you move or are closer to another pharmacy you can actually pick up your medicine more easily. Here (US) you are tied to where your doctor sent the prescription so if you’re shopping somewhere else now you have to drive to that place where your prescription is waiting...

[@alexgray1905]

I just discovered you channel ... very funny and entertaining. From where I am, I suspect that you have a personality like Zaz and I suspect that, like Zaz's parents, yours had their hands full ... 😄 I would think that France 24 English would die to hire you. Ok, I subscribed.

[@florakotlinski871]

I'm french and I love to hear about this culture shocks! About urgent care you can contact the "médecin de garde" which is a doctor usually used in the night but I guess also when you are in express need but not emergency state ;)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I love hearing them about the US too. It's always interesting to hear a point of view from someone who didn't grow up that way so isn't inclined to think its completely normal!

[@lapoirebavarde3193]

but if you are in express need but not emergency state during the day, you just call your "médecin traitant" no ? I mean I always did that and I always had an appointment the same day (or he gave me advice and I have to call him again if things are not better one or two days after).

[@florakotlinski871]

@@lapoirebavarde3193 ​ Yes during the day I would call my médecin traitant but idk maybe in big cities they are too buisy to help you quickly enough

[@patchworkmermaid]

The French pharmacy is similar to what I had in NY 30 years ago. The pharmacist knew all about you and it was a social call to go get a prescription.

[@alfinou_13targaryen]

very interesting video Kate, I had a lot of fun watching it! But actually, there is not a pharmacy everywhere in France, there is actually a rule to know how many pharmacies there are in a town/ city according to the size of a town / city. You have many pharmacies in Paris because it's a big city with millions of inhabitants but a town needs at least 3000 inhabitants to have a pharmacy and 6000 to have a second one etc. There are many villages in rural France with no pharmacy at all for instance. But it's true that in big cities, there are pharmacies everywhere!

[@jean-michelgaiffe3834]

yes there are rules, as we called this "a numerus closus" about the number of pharmacies depending nb of inhabitants (like doctors). But I guess it's now less than 3000 or this is for a area because in my small village in the countryside, the population is 2000 for only few years and I've always seen a pharmacy :p

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Thanks for the info! Interesting to understand why exactly there are so many in Paris.

[@nathalieast6179]

SOS médecins is our urgence care ! You can call them in the middle of the night and they come at any hours at you home ! You can also the Samu, but it's usually for biggest emergencies !

[@nikkiscott4341]

In the UK, when you consult a doctor, you do not systematically get a prescription for medicine. In France, a doctor's visit would often result in the prescription if a 3-5 different drugs, even just for a cold. This was a far cry from my UK childhood where it would be feed a fever, starve a cold. Things are really changing now and fewer drugs are being described.

[@ringwe]

About the process of the prescription: for one thing it ensures that your prescription is not being stolen/abused by a third person. It ensures that a continuing prescription is based on re-evaluation of the medical condition (we all know these persons who use the same medicine/dosage from 30 years ago and never bothered to check if it's still what they need). Not sending it directly to a specific pharmacy again gives you the choice of which pharmacy to choose regardless the location (you might go to another city). The paperwork is rather updated but it's steadily being replaced by an electronic medical file.

[@ringwe]

May I add, again as a hypothyroid patient myself, that you may need to change the dosage or even the brand quite a few times during your lifetime. And again, I'm always so surprised to read the ridiculous prices of Levothyroxine in the US. I buy it with about 2 euros for a pack of 30 pills.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Yea i understand getting to change pharmacies when you want, but thats possible in the US too. You just have to call the pharmacy and ask for the transfer. Maybe its less private because there isn't the electronic trace in France??

[@ringwe]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified But that's the difference. In Greece there's no need to call a pharmacy to make arrangements. You just go where you choose, even if the prescription was digital (for instance you can choose to receive the prescription on your phone). Since it's matched to your id details there's no need to worry about someone else stealing it, and there is no pharmacy who can doubt who you are.

[@PilaradelaFontaine]

It sounds very similar to Mexico, the doctors offices in apartments, the hand written prescriptions, the fact that you have to go to a lab and then pick up results and take back to the doc. Other than this last thing, I much prefer it. Here in the US it feels very impersonal, and you only see nurses, the doctor is like a god who decides if he’ll give you five or ten minutes of his precious time... anyway, I love pharmacies in Paris... I want do much to go back!

[@isabellem1945]

Hola, the main difference between France and Mexico is the visit to the obgyn. In Mexico if it is a male doctor, a female assistant hovers nearby, and once you undress, you dress up again with a cap and a gown. I do not know if it is for modesty or to prevent possible harrassment. In France only one person does the check-up and you turn into an Eve with her socks on if the floor is cold. ;-)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

So true about seeing your actual doctor for like 5 seconds. It's true that if you don't like his doctor's nurses, than you probably won't stay with her or him!

[@solaccursio]

also in Italy, same as in Mexico, it seems :)

[@tulipwindmill]

Most UK doctors still use paper prescriptions, although it is printed out from a PC. If I have to get a repeat, I have to usually contact the surgery beforehand. We normally only get 4 repeats before we have to see the DR again, especially if its pain meds. I can now, order a repeat online though, and they are starting to send info to your chemist of choice. Our Drs work out of a health centre and for our small town, we have 3 in the main part of town. The biggest has loads of different Drs surgeries, ( as we call them). For example where I go, there is 2 different surgeries. Each has their own reception desk, a head of practice and one or 2 drs. There is normally a nurse in each practice. As for urgent care, if we phone up first thing and its an emergency, we will be sent to the practice next door, who deal with those. Its not unusual to be seen by a nurse practitioner for a sore throat etc. Bloods, are done in same building, as is wound care etc. We are always encouraged to go to pharmacy for non emergencies and they have a consulting room. If they think you need a doctor, they will tell you.

[@norbertfontaine8524]

"Most UK doctors still use paper prescriptions, although it is printed out from a PC." I think most French doctors print their prescriptions. I have a prescription for 6 months ( 6 x 1 month ) after that I must see my doctor again.

[@claraontheroad3049]

Super vidéo, comme toujours ! Just a little thing, on urgent care vs emergency rooms and not being sure what to do with Eleanor : if it's quite bad but not enough to maybe warrant a trip to the ER, or if it's in the middle of the night, can really recommend SOS Médecin (you call a service and they send a doctor at your house) , usually a bit more expensive than a regular trip to the doctor but my mom definitely used it when I was a kid and very unwell. They alsowill give basic advice on the phone if the situation you describe doesn't seem to warrant a visit in their opinion

[@danythedog7908]

Les images d'enfants en pleurs, séparés de leurs parents arrêtés à la frontière mexicano-américaine, ont suscité une vague d'émotion dans le monde entier. "Je ne veux pas qu'il se passe en Europe ce qu'il se passe aux Etats-Unis", a commenté mardi Benjamin Griveaux, le porte-parole du gouvernement. "Manifestement nous ne partageons pas certaines valeurs. Ces images évidemment sont choquantes. Et à l'évidence nous, nous sommes là pour défendre un idéal européen qui est un idéal de paix, de liberté", a-t-il ajouté sur France 2. La France est-elle pour autant irréprochable sur la question des mineurs étrangers? Contrairement aux Etats-Unis, où 2.300 enfants ont été séparés de leurs parents aux Etats-Unis depuis le mois de mai, les enfants restent avec leur famille en France.

[@ealibert]

There's another service that's worth mentioning, as very few people know about it: the "centre anti poison", which you can reach by phone if your kid has swallowed something ...strange or dangerous. There's one phone number for each region, they answer very quickly, and give you very detailed advice about what is the right thing to do: call an ambulance, make the kid drink this or that... It's a public service hosted by big hospitals, AFAIK. Merry Christmas all :-)

[@goosebump801]

In the US there’s a network of 55 Poison Control Centers, with a simple national phone number (1-800-222-1222) and a single website. Callers may remain anonymous, providing only the age and weight of the person and the quantity and name/type of drug or other substance (plants, household cleaners, etc.) involved. They help with approximations where specifics are unknown (age or weight, substance or quantity consumed.) Service is free. Information is uploaded every 8 minutes to a national database, which allows rapid response to any widespread events. (Example: the Tylenol tampering event of 1982.) It’s not unusual to find free refrigerator magnets with the phone number at the pharmacy or the pediatrician’s office 💐

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

So interesting! I had no idea! and Merry Christmas to you too! :)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Something I never even paid attention to when i was living in the US but now that you say it, we absolutely had the magnet on our fridge!

[@williezhang746]

Thank you for this. Is honestly so frustrating watching this in the US. People here would rather pay through their eyeballs or die than to make sure they are taken care of.

[@alexwyler4570]

At Ride Aid in Oregon, they make sure you will stay in the store for 30 minutes. You drop off your prescription, then it will take a minimum of 30 minutes for them to fill it. You can drop it off then come back. Sometimes the doctor can phone it in if you are getting a colonoscopy hihi they might call you when it is ready, but they are so so busy, usually, you have to call them to remind them to do it.

[@voyageavecmoi6024]

Your videos are very cool! Keep it up

[@MsAddie18]

Coucou j avoue j ai la flemme de écrire en anglais, 😃 juste pour dire que la loi autorise une pharmacie pour 2000 habitants, donc vu la concentration de population à Paris, il est possible qu il y ait plus de pharmacie que de boulangerie 😂 Visiblement à Paris ce n est pas le cas mais chez moi (en raz campagne) j ai un système de médecin qui sont présents 24/7 ( en vrai ils sont la 7/7j mais seulement de 5h à 23h, ce qui est déjà pas mal) donc Paris doit prendre des leçons 😂.... Et enfin tu as raison pour ces maudites ordonnances mais juste pour info, mon mari qui a été très malade récemment à bénéficier du système 100% donc les ordonnances étaient envoyées à la pharmacie par E-mail. Donc techniquement on sait faire, c est juste réservé aux personnes très malade...., 😃 J espère que tu passes de très bonnes fêtes en famille. I wish you and all your family a Merry Christmas, enjoy every moment with them Love 🎄🎅🔔❄

[@OptLab]

Oui, à Paris tu peux avoir des concentrations de boulangeries assez cocaces. Les opticiens ou coiffeurs aussi peuvent être très concentrés. On retrouve aussi très souvent Bouygues, SFR et Orange juste à côté etc

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Très interessant, je savais pas que c’était possible mais plutôt reserve pour les personnes très malade! Merry Christmas!! :)

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Tellement vrai pour Bouygues, SFR et Orange lol.

[@meenalaregina7770]

Hi! In Montreal I used to visit my paeditrician’s house who practised out of basement. Additionally there are two apartment buildings dedicated to doctors.

[@lorimiller2369]

I so enjoy it when I see one of your video notifications pop up! I’m learning so much from your videos. You’ve helped me rule out retiring in Arizona, Montpellier/Provence is looking better everyday.😊

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Glad to hear it!

[@johnjeanb]

Frenchman here: There is a rule in France by which a "Pharmacien" must be on duty in each pharmacy. A "Pharmacien" is a Doctor in Pharmacy, 6 to 9 years of study after the "Bac". The results are: (1) difficult to have a pharmacy chain because of the personal responsibility and (2) the "Pharmaciens" know exactly what you have and are fully entitled to improve your health. Yes, we French love bureaucracy (Do we?) BUT the "ordonnance" the paper you get to receive your prescriptions is also a protection for our Sécurité Sociale" not to get abused (very easy to forge an email) and remember in some / many cases, you DON'T pay to get your prescription (The Social Security pays directly your pharmacien). Yes, urgencies ("Urgences") in hospital can be a real pain: long waiting times because some people go there even when there is no real reason ("Hyponcondriaques" people being worried all the time to be sick or not to be). Quite often these are serviced by foreign doctors.

[@lesfreresdelaquote1176]

The reason you need to go to separate places for tests is the reason Health Care is much cheaper in France than in the US. It is all a problem of economy of scale... In France, GP don't need to invest in expensive machinery to treat people. They just keep it to a minimum, a medical bed, some basic instruments, that's about it. Because they don't have all these equipments to buy and manage, they can keep the price to around 25€ a visit. On the other hand, specialized laboratories can acquire very large and powerful equipments that will be used 24 hours a day, hence keeping the price down. In the US, a doctor office is much more expensive because they have to invest in a complete laboratory, which won't be equipped with the largest equipments, as these equipments won't be used to their fullest. Hence, the initial investment for a GP in the US is much larger than for a French GP, who can rely on external laboratories to handle the tests. This is the reason why a visit to the GP in the US can be up to 150$, almost 6 times the price in France.

[@VictorECaplon]

It’s is actually more cost efficient to have specialized structures as opposed to equipping every doctor with every tool (important in a ‘free’ healthcare system). Personally I rarely need the stuff you find at the doctor in the US. Sure its more convenient to some extent, but the reality is that its easier to go by specialty. After, you can always go to a good cabinet, where many different professions are in the same building. They are much fewer and much busier, but you have almost everything. I personally think its not worth it, but the option exists.

[@pathallam986]

I find the French pharmacy /parapharmacy monopoly on non-prescription medicines makes them very expensive. In the UK I was used to buying low-cost, drugstore own-brand generic medications while in France everything is branded at inflated (imo) prices. Re. paper-based records, it is possible to design health IT systems that keep patients' data and records secure. I worked for the UK NHS and only had access to patient info that was relevant to the specialism of my department (speech & language therapy) and my job grade. With the right level of security protocols, electronic records can be just as secure as paper (& won't be destroyed by fire or flood). They also enable your medical history to be accessible even if you move around a lot. Americans tend to love French healthcare because its costs are mostly covered by social security while still being high- quality. But it *is* struggling and some of its attitudes can be a bit outdated.

[@Lea-rb9nc]

In my village, we don't need urgent care. A quick call to the maison santé (clinic) would bring out the doctor to my home. Need aftercare, dressings... an infirmier (nurse) will set up a schedule with you for treatment. The pharmacies here also carry medications for animals and homeopathy.

[@anaisc8733]

The video was very nice but I wished you talked about the prices, for the French and Americans, as a french I always hear incredible numbers when it comes to the price of medications and all, so I was curious and I think some Americans could find it interesting to see the prices in EU. Anyway, nice video, keep going !

[@shakira14710]

in Belgium we used ID cards and a "DMG" which is your online medical file and parts of it are linked to your ID - so if you get into an accident, they know if you have allergies etc. And prescriptions are also linked so you just give it over to your pharmacist

[@susanjaneleitner7670]

In NYC our doctors do work out of apartment buildings and/or hospitals. If the doctor is operating out of an apartment then we too need to go to a lab for a blood test and anything else needed to check you out. See you next time!

[@christinelachance8012]

Great job Kate! I love your videos... Joyeux Noël!

[@kjc6954]

Some of these things are the same as Australia. Our Gp (doc), refers you out to numerous specialist, your results go back to your Gp and then you need make appointment to discuss your results with your gp.

[@loridelia8806]

Haha! You are too funny. Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! Now in the US they just deliver your prescription . i love it. Great video. I love France.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Thanks! Happy Holidays!

[@benjaminlamey3591]

lots of people say france is bad for the service. but not the pharmacie. they are medicine specialist with a proper study and there to help and answer your questions. if you have an emergency, you can always ask your pharmacist, he will help you.

[@WalkWalkWalk-c2y]

What the French do better: they have a system centered primarily around delivering healthcare while we have one centered primarily around profit making. It’s really as simply as that.

[@Hide_and_silk]

This how it works in the UK...except we have walk in centres for non life threatening emergency care and 111 for advice. We also have electronic prescriptions so we request online and it gets sent to our nominated pharmacy in the UK. We are French resident (so have a carte vitale) but opt to still get our healthcare in the UK (we're also S1 holders so can do that). Unfortunately, I had a very bad experience with the healthcare system in France so prefer to only use the French system if I have no other choice e.g. road traffic accident.

[@ipaolo1]

I’m French and i just discovered your channel , is funny i didn’t realise it was so rare for us to see doctors in habitation buildings for me it’s totally normal , and yes totally agree for the prescription drugs why they didn’t pass on digital it will much more convenient 😂😂

[@florieazon7080]

A thing you didn't mention and that I love about pharmacies in the US (from what I've seen) is that when they give you your prescription drugs, you get the exact number of pills you need. In France, if you need like 14 pills and the box they give you contains 20, you have 6 useless pills you don't know what to do with...

[@NouriaDiallo]

You bring them back to the pharmacy. Prescription drugs are not to be disposed of with domestic waste.

[@florieazon7080]

@@NouriaDiallo I know, but it's still a pain in the ass !

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

So so so true! Completely forgot to mention this!

[@annapal8635]

Omg I just found your channel through the apartment tour video and I love it! Maybe European countries are not so different after all cause I can relate to almost everything you say. 😋 Sending love from Greece

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Hello Anna, thanks ! We were planning to visit Greece before the pandemic and now I can’t wait for us to be able to make the trip when everything is under control !

[@geekdaddy5351]

Pharmacie will check your mushrooms : if you pick mushrooms in countryside, carry them to pharmacie, they will check them for you. (Of course, don't mix them when you pick them. One case for each sort)

[@tinefjeldsted1616]

In Denmark, doctors also typically have their practice in apartment buildings. Especially if they have their own private practice. But I was also really surprised by the paper prescriptions! In Denmark the prescriptions are online as well, and you can pick them up at any pharmacy without having the prescription yourself. A massive waste of paper, France! ;)

[@Octanne]

Yes but After the paper in France is the product the most recycling so it's good ☺️

[@tinefjeldsted1616]

@@Octanne well, that's a whole other discussion 😉🥰

[@treatstreats7149]

Just found you and I am really loving it. It would be so awesome if you could show some skin care you found you love there. -Thanks! Merry Christmas!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Thanks! Merry Christmas!

[@athanase6613]

Très bonne vidéo, sujet intéressant mais trop court. On en redemande. Very good video, interesting subject but too short. We want more.

[@lear.2443]

I think the amount of pharmacies is in part due to the fact that you can't buy any drugs, even "common" ones like ibuprofen, or cough medecine elsewhere. In England (I don't know for the USA) you can buy this kind of "common" drugs in the supermarket so of course you don't need to go to the pharmacy as often. But still I don't think we need the amount of pharmacies there are in big cities. But also I think France is a big prescription drug consumer ,especially antidepressants so that can also be a reason.

[@Laurent69ftm]

or it's just that each pharmacy is very small and only has about 1 pharmacist, so they're small businesses.

[@lear.2443]

@@Laurent69ftm yes true, that as well :)

[@carolinekoling424]

Am a faithful follower from Sweden. :) What nailpolish 💅and lipstick💄do you use in this video?

[@iorekbyrnison1370]

this video reminds me when Michael Moore came in France and had a dinner with american expats in Paris and one of them was feeling really guilty of her quality of life in France compare to her parents back in the US - The movie is called Sicko and you must watch it !

[@quoileternite]

In France, the system intends to make the doctors richer. If the system was more efficient, you would see your doctor less, and each you see him you pay.

[@LouLope]

Why would you want to wait and chit-chat at a pharmacy for a long time, especially with Covid? I do on line ordering in less than a minute and they promptly ship a 3 month supply at a steep discount, have been for years. It's very convenient for those who are disabled (I'm not). And now there is Amazon Pharmacy to add to the competition, which usually result in lower prices and better service.

[@Anastasia-hz9xo]

Thank you so much for this video

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Thanks Anastasia! I manage my thyroid with Levothyrox and it's always worked for me! I was really young when i was diagnosed though so i didn't have any say in the treatment.

[@Anastasia-hz9xo]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified Thank you for your reply ! ^_^

[@thevaughntestkitchen6045]

Here in the US, I end up using Urgent Care 99% of the time. My primary doctor’s patient load is so large that she is booked up 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Useless if I get sick and need to see a doctor right away. So, I can make an appointment for an annual checkup, but for anything else, I have to go to Urgent Care.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

That's how it was for my family when I was growing up too!

[@drahthaar4]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified That's one of the disadvantages of living in the country. At my vacation home it's about 1 week. In NY, same day or the next, to see my doctor.

[@sylvaintaif8128]

There are definitely things worth looking across the Atlantic ocean indeed 🙂 - I relate to your story about the need to go see the doctor get a prescription then go to the "laboratoire d'analyse" (don't know the exact word sorry) then back to the doctor... (Althouuugh... maybe does it contribute to us walking more than in the US ? That French diet and walk of life you talked in other vids 😆) Also, asa kid I've been in Canada (precisely Quebec) to see family and when I was sick, the pharmacist gave us exactly the number of pills needed for the treatment. It was in 1997... Since then I'd have loved to see that in France cause it's such a pain to accumulate medicines that you don't need anymore, it's a huge waste (pretty lucrative for big pharma though), it can prove dangerous for some people if left unchecked and forgotten (those with memory loss, children) ... how is it in the US ? Also the presciption... since we have the carte vitale system, I would've thought the next upgrade would be the prescription uploaded on the card ? Or some sort of account encrypted so that only healthcare professionals could access it from their terminals ? (Sending a prescription by mail seems no safer than having it on a card to me but I'm no expert on hacking risks and privacy rules in France and EU) Love to hear from you ! It expands my English vocabulary a great deal aha !

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Hahah so true about the walking. It's good for our health! And uploading the prescription on the carte vitale would be AMAZING.

[@honeyfitz3791]

The quality of healthcare in the USA varies greatly depending on where you live. In many places the healthcare is terrible. This is especially true in rural areas. I have the impression that the quality of care is more uniform in France, regardless of where you live. That is a much better system.

[@sylvaintaif8128]

Hmm... I guess as a whole it could be true ? But if you're just comparing between French locations you'd find many discrepancies, notably rural accessibility of care vs cities. It's definitely a problem in some parts of France where pregnant women have no more maternal care units in 30, 40 km radius (though I'd have to check for a real number). And the tendency for a few decades as been to shut down units and regroup them so I don't know that we're on a good path. (Ok. I clearly think we're of a sinking ship 😅) Same for the appointments and the waiting time for certain procedures or specialists. It can greatly differ.

[@julieparker8176]

I had heard that the neighborhood pharmacist also “diagnoses and prescribes” for certain normal sicknesses, do they ever do that?

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Interesting! I haven't ever had my pharmacist diagnosis and prescribe anything that needed a prescription. but they are happy to help with over the counter stuff and suggest things when you give them your symptoms.

[@XxJay71xX]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified there is a lot of things that people doesn't realize about these guys, for example they can determine what antidote to give you if you've been poisoned by a snake or a jellyfish for example (given of course that you show them the thing that bit or stung you), they can also tell you if mushrooms are edible, if you found some mushroom in the forest and you're not sure if it's toxic or not, bring it to your local pharmacist, I can assure you that he'll know because it's part of their training.

[@theMad155]

I had been wondering about the lack of urgent care in France. I’ve just keep praying that I don’t have to figure out that part of the healthcare system! But I can imagine that when you have a child, that is stressful not to have the intermediate option!

[@danielbordier7282]

Mainly a problem in Paris, where there is too much people and not enough doctors. But with app like doctolib you can always find a doctor with still some time to see you that day. Not the more practical (because it is not your usual doctor), but still possible for emergencies.

[@alfinou_13targaryen]

there is urgent care in France, it's called SOS médecin. I don't live in Paris but usually, either they come to your house or you can take your kids to their office without an appointment on weekends or holiday for instance.

[@shoszannah]

Of course there is urgent care in France, especially in Paris. You can go to medical centers that take you without any appointment if it's urgent. Urgent care. And also SOS médecins like someone else mentioned.

[@seamusmullarkey5996]

Blood tests taken in separate laboratory is how it's done at my doctor in New York City

[@erzsebetnilsson580]

Do not carry away with the hypothyroid/or rather do not HACK UP on it. The thyroid is a hormone and related to hormones which is varying to produce hormones just like any other glands and because of that it is VERY DIFFICULT for to know if there is A REAL ISSUE or not. just like the blood pressure only if it was checked in a 24-7 every day for days it will give 'SOME' indication while the thyroid gland do not have anywhere in the world where any instrument for to check is 24/7 for couple of days. Hormones all over in the body is/can be effected by food. or environment or stress other illness sleeping worries or many other things. just like the blood pressure. Sure there is a sign of symptoms but even with the thyroid if it shows constant low or constant high with the medical symptoms is when is should be considered. but of cause in all case of the symptom it should be checked with the doctor.

[@KBinturong]

Yes, I totally agree on the lack of urgent care. And it’s silly indeed to need a prescription then go to lab, etc. It’s even worse when you have something wrong with your bones... For the paperless prescription idk... it means you can go only to one place, that’s not really convenient. But you could have a nation wide IT system that could handle this but we don’t have nation patient id yet, so...

[@littlebounce]

What about SOS Medecins? That's who you should call for urgent medical care. I remember my mother calling them when we lived in Paris in the 1980s!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I should have mentioned them in the video. I haven't had good experiences with them but lots of people have!

[@hananoush4109]

Good job 👌 also we can call Sos médecin (and a doctor will come to your home) or le Samu for emergency and if we can’t find other solutions 🙃 Joyeuses fêtes de fin d’année tout le monde !

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

I did blank about SOS medicin. Ive never had a great experience so i always forget it exists but completely true that its an option between the general doctor and going to the actual emergency room. merrry Christmas!

[@katherinekempton]

As bad as things are in the U.S., I miss my 24/7 CVS.

[@thierryf67]

there is different kind of emergencies services, some are just medicals emergencies (deseases, and not big trauma). If you call the emergency number, they ask you to know were sending you, for best processing.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

When you say emergency number its the 15?

[@thierryf67]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified yes, the 15 (S.A.M.U. - Service d'Aide Médicale d'Urgence) but there's also the 18 (sapeurs-pompiers / firemen for a fire or road accident), and of course the 112 (Emergency European number for any device, mobile or fix, which is of higher priority on any others). However, they are interconnected. If you dial a emergency number (112 for instance) but not sure it's the good one, don't hang up. Just explain to the operator the situation : all calls are tracked, and your hang up call could be registered as an interrupted emergency, requiring urgent action. So it's better to explain what's happening, if it's a mistake or not.

[@deepachristinajayaraj6475]

The system is the same as in India. So I find your description of the US system new.

[@alexandrelarsac9115]

There is a law on neon signs in France. ONLY pharmacies can display a moving, blinking neon sign. A fixe or moving green cross.

[@ansiemartin7280]

Not in every corner of every street 😅 but yes pharmacies here are better than in US. The pharmacist is also quite knowledgeable

[@anitahubbard8558]

Merry Christmas!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Same to you!

[@chateau7]

Is Retin-A (tretinoin) a big thing there like it is in the states?

[@victormiossec709]

Very interesting video with things that I never realized as a French person but you should specify that they mostly applies to big cities like where you live

[@j-loosenfout67]

En France, les médicaments sur ordonnance sont très contrôlés. Normalement, même si le docteur vous fait une prescription de médicaments sur plusieurs mois, le pharmacien lui, n'a pas le droit de vous en donner plus que pour un mois.

[@Lu-qs9dy]

Pas plus que pour 1 mois d'un coup mais l'ordonnance est valable 6 mois je crois ?

[@j-loosenfout67]

@@Lu-qs9dy Oui, il peut prescrire jusqu'à 6 mois de traitement en une fois, dans le cadre d'un traitement à long terme éventuellement renouvelable sur plusieurs semestres notamment.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

C'est tellement vrai ca, et je savais pas pourquoi!

[@AmauryJacquot]

Agreed, we could do better, for instance store the prescription data in the Carte Vitale. but so far, our (supposed to be) super smart Polytechniciens haven't thought of that

[@mariehoffmann8150]

I which i lived in france health care is not controled by insurance companies like in the US if they need to go to a nursing home if you don't have any money the government pays regardless i know this for a fact because my brother was un one so yes its true the only problem now is the shortage of doctors

[@taliatmelet418]

SOS Médecins is your urgent care. When you call the 15 if dispatch assesses your call as not so urgent usually they will redirect you to it.

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Intersting! I didn't know they redirected to SOS medecin if they don't think your call is "urgent" enough!

[@taliatmelet418]

@@UnintentionallyFrenchified Yep ! It's pretty cool in my opinion. Depending on where you live, your mobility and your condition your local SOS Médecins will either advise you to come to their offices (or to the MMG) or a Dr will visit you at home.

[@husnahusna5806]

Can we do any surgeries by this card facial or body surgery

[@aliceaurelia594]

In NYC it's normal for MDs to work out of apartment buildings. Lucky us!

[@UnintentionallyFrenchified]

Interesting! I'm learning things about the US too :)

[@FabulousFab84]

What is really awful at the Pharmacy is that they are not going to whisper in your ears about what you have. One of them will very likely shout out loud "hey, do we still have tablets for diarrhea ?" to his colleague and everybody in the pharmacy will know what you came for #embarassing

[@norbertfontaine8524]

Go to another place.