MISTAKES GOING TO THE DOCTOR in France | French healthcare system

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If you'll be going to the doctor in France, this video is all about mistakes foreigners should avoid when seeing a French doctor. The French healthcare system might be different than what you're used to, so if you're an expat in France and curious about what medical care is like or have an upcoming French doctor's appointment, this healthcare in France video will help you learn what to avoid doing.
**As I mention at the end, these things will not hold true for every doctor everywhere and are based on my experience with French culture as an American in France. It's not a judgment about any one system and is aimed at helping you to be more culturally aware and know what to expect. ;-)**
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Salut! I'm Diane, the American behind the living abroad lifestyle blog Oui In France. My channel's focus is "Everyday French life and beyond," so let me know what you want to see! I make videos on French culture topics, food, travel, language, and give you my thoughts about what it's like living in France as an American in the Loire Valley. Thanks for being here and if you enjoy this sort of thing, please share with friends and subscribe!
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#frenchhealthcare #goingtothedoctor #frenchculture

[@OuiInFrance]

Bonjour tout le monde, sorry, had to re-upload due to a technical glitch. Thanks for watching! ;-)

[@MorganeLainard]

about emergency appointment: you can call the doctor's office and ask for an emergency appointment (they will ofc see with you if it's an emergency or not). They tend to keep a few free slots / week for those patients. For instance if you need to go to the dentist for a nasty tooth ache that is preventing yoiur sleep, and you see on doctolib next appointment is in 3 months, call the office and they might be able to book you in the next few days.

[@raspberrybitch4299]

Neat!

[@taiwoakande2163]

Is health care free for a permanent resident in France? I don’t have a family doctor. Should I just walk into any clinic? Thank you for your response

[@MorganeLainard]

Not really. It's a bit complicated but i'm going to try to explain. Even for French citizen it ain't free. Only the part covered by the state social security (CPAM) would be free (you advance the money and they reimburse their part -for GP, 70% of 25€ = 16.5€-) So, as a permanent resident, if you did the paperwork to get your social security number, at least the CPAM part is free. But you would still have to pay the rest of the consultation price (so 8.5€ for GP). If you have a private health insurance (in fr "mutuelle") or the one provided by the CPAM for low income (called "Complémentaire santé solidaire"), they will reimburse the rest based on the price range set by the CPAM for every medical act, minus 1€. Usually Gp and the ER would only bill you the price dictated by the CPAM but if you go see specialists, they might bill you more than the CPAM dictated amount. If you can't afford that,, on Doctolib you can filter your search by "conventionné secteur 1" or "conventionné secteur 2 sans dépassement d'honoraires". They have longer wait list, but if you can't afford docs billing more then that's the way to go. So to sum up, if you got the paperwork done and a private health insurrance or the one by the social security for low income, most of the time you end up only spending 1€ for the doc and 0.5/box of medicine. If you don't, then you will need to pay at least part of the price.@@taiwoakande2163

[@kesleygeorge6093]

Of course most doctors don't speak English! Why do Americans or English speakers expect everybody in France to speak English ? I mean when I go to the US or England I don't expect the medical staff to speak French... 🤷

[@OuiInFrance]

Kind of funny, isn't it?

[@sbichet31]

In France, the doctor school does not provide english lessons. And medecine language is very specific. So except if you live in a town where many foreighs live in, (like Toulouse, Paris...), Doctors will not speak an English enough to understand the shades of pain...

[@philipperoche2577]

You're damn right! Why do Americans expect any foreigner to speak good English in any country? Arrogance combined with ignorance of the rest of the world are cornerstones for lots of Americans, who may have never leaved their state, maybe not even their town.

[@hollybeeme]

@@philipperoche2577 there are Americans who don’t speak English well in their own country! 😂

[@Skyblue-fw5rm]

What do you recommend for a tourist traveling to France that doesn't speak french? So as not to appear disrespectful. Maybe learning basic french,at least?

[@rebeccaherschman1635]

I am glad she mentioned the wait time

[@AnnieAndre]

Great tips about going to a doctor in France Diane. These are the things many foreigners overlook or don't think about. You don't know what you don't know, right? In my ten years in France, I've only encountered 3 French doctors that speak English 3 times. We're a family of five so we've been to the doctors office more times than I can count.

[@jolies5329]

As a Canadian with experience in a universal healthcare system like France, I find that French doctors really treat me as a partner in my care. They are much more human and humane and don't stand behind their white coats. This is unlike what you describe. Another difference is that the patient is in charge of their own files, and should bring them to appointments. They don’t treat your medical record as some deep secret. Finally, to work around accessibility issues for some specialties, you can always go private, at a cost of course.

[@LeSarthois]

I've met various types of doctors. The type she describe do exists, very old school, usually they are over 40, but of course it's not a hardwritten rule. My family GP is more the "paternalist" type, the type that "know what's best for you" but really friendly. And the newer generation is more open to listen to their patient's experience and more open to hear about your past experience with other doctors and/or listen to what you found online. They still may refuse to do extra exams, but that is because many labs and hospitals have long waiting lists so adding even one exam may delay your treatment.

[@christinem3598]

Another great video Diane! You made me smile today. I love your channel!

[@joseeallyn9950]

I spend some time each year in our house in France. We have had good treatment. The doctor comes to the house, the nurses (like the district nurses in England) also come to the house. The ambulance men are also excellent. My doctor wanted me admitted to hospital and I was very well treated. My husband was also in a local hospital on another occasion and although the hospital didn't have much by way of luxury he had a specialist in geriatric medicine who cared for him. Older people do need special care and many drugs should not be used on them. The mixture of very modern medicine with holistic and homeopathic medicine seems to work extremely well. Recently one of our grandmothers fell on getting on a bus in Paris and the hospital there looked after her and then when she needed stitches removed the nurse came to our house deep in the countryside. Do be aware that checks are not put into the system until the end of the month, this can leave your finances a bit strained if you expect payments to be credited to you immediately as in America.

[@stephaniemairs3871]

Helpful info! Makes me think about, if moving there, schedule a checkup well before arriving to take care of things like Rx refills. Even if we don’t have our carte vitale yet.

[@glurp1er]

In France, saying "bonjour" is indeed extremely important, BUT beware it really is only a polite gesture and not an invitation to be friendly and to start having a conversation (like Americans like to do with strangers).

[@TheGrandy123]

C'est le conseil de l ordre des médecins qui définit le nb de personnes acceptées pour faire médecine. Or, il y a plusieurs années, ils n'ont pas voulu augmenter leur nb pour maintenir les salaires (moins dr, donc moins de concurrence) Resultat, aujourd'hui on manque de médecins. Dans certaines régions, on doit faire appel à des dr étrangers (Maghreb, Liban, etc selon les regions). Comme les dr ont le choix du lieu d'installation, bcp choisissent les regions les plus attractives, laissant d'autres avec moins d'offres. Le lobby des dr est très fort. Donc difficile de changer.

[@Didier88600]

Et surtout les erreurs médicales sont légions et ils se serrent les coudes, si ils étaient plus nombreux ce serait plus difficile pour eux de se couvrir.

[@cann9155]

Whew! thx Diane💝💝💝

[@jasonweikert1922]

Getting RDV's can be difficult depending on where you live. Same for back at home in the USA where I am from. Depends on what type of care needed. And where the doctors are located. Also where I am located in France it is typical to say Bonne journée to everyone there on your way out depending on the layout of the doctors office.

[@debbiejohnson2789]

I like the part about greeting everyone in the waiting room!

[@Tiisiphone]

My doctor knows I work in clinical research. It facilitates our communication since I understand some of the medical lingo.

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

Oh man, I've made the mistake of not having cash at the vet! Luckily they were so nice they let me pay for it at my next visit. Also, I think having the bloodwork done at the doctor's office might be a regional thing in the U.S. I've literally never had that happen here in CT! The closest is when the doctor's office was part of a big complex that included the lab, but it was still a totally separate check-in. I think what surprised me at the lab in France was that they always ask the reason for the bloodwork, as in what medical conditions, and they want you to name them specifically (e.g. "liver condition" isn't enough). In my experience in the U.S. they just enter the codes given by the doctor and don't think further about it.

[@dunjameister1234]

We went to the "urgences" at the CHU Nimes two times. Both times the doctors spoke very good english! We didn't have any problems communicating.

[@tomshahriari6602]

As to bloodwork. We have it done in home by a visiting nurse. No extra cost.

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

My biggest mistake going to the doctor (taking my daughter to the pediatrician) was leaving without paying. (Brit).

[@martinm2178]

I have a waiting room story! A group of us, as part of our employment were required to get randomly drug tested. So about six of us were sent to the doctor to get our urine test, etc. When we arrived an old couple was seated in the waiting room and we started to joke amongst ourselves about the testing etc. One of the guys said, "I wonder how many times these chairs have been farted on !" We all started laughing and one of the guys actually farted into the seat. The look on the old couple"s faces was priceless. Needless to say, they wanted out of there ASAP! Not exactly saying hello to everyone but it was something I'll never forget!

[@wudgee]

I’d be eager to leave too.

[@skdoremi6666]

Unmanned people r the worst. It's disrespectful.

[@Alex-mp1zb]

Classy!

[@sallypenhalli]

Hey Diane, I know your target audience is Americans visiting France, maybe for the first time and your videos are aimed at this but my question really relates more to English speaking expats than visitors. I don't know where to go to ask these questions so I'm going to ask here as I know expats in France come here as well and maybe they can weigh in if they can help or point me in a better direction. I had planned a move to France around now but for health reasons this has been delayed and is more likely at the end of the year after treatment is finished. I'm learning French and now have time to learn more! But I still don't think it will be enough to talk fluently or even coherently in French about my medical condition, which will need periodic reviews, let alone understand what the Dr is saying to me. So my questions are these. Is there a telephone interpreter service in France that I can pay to interpret for me at a Drs appointment? The government here in Australia provides such a service for people who speak English as a second language when they visit the Dr. Before everybody jumps on me I'm not expecting France to do the same but I would like to be able to pay for that service when the health stakes could be too high for my limited French. Secondly are there places where medical records can be translated or should I organise this beforehand? Is there a specific phone or app translation service you recommend? Are there any other particular online french expat forums or sites you would recommend in lieu of me hijacking your page for my questions? Thanks so much in advance. Sally

[@carolepstein7553]

Good video, of course. When you enter the Doctor’s waiting room and say Bonjour. . . . Do the people in the waiting area say Bonjour back?

[@OuiInFrance]

Absolutely! All in unison ;-)

[@dmccoy9509]

How does find a doctor in France?

[@lawrencebaker2318]

I saw the first upload. Not sure how.

[@ialohrr]

we pay at the end, because even if we can't pay, we will be taken care of. Doctors are here first to take care of you, not to make money (but they do make a lot of money anyway).

[@ialohrr]

as you said later in the video you're a patient, not a client, that why the payment comes in the end.

[@paulgdlmx]

Almost EVERYthing you say for France is applicable here in Mexico.

[@theoldone3485]

Is it not French law to require a translator service at the doctor? It is in the US.

[@OuiInFrance]

Not sure of the legality in an ER situation, but for people who don't speak French, they usually bring someone with them who does.

[@skdoremi6666]

Yes in France if u have a headache and ask ur doc ibuprofen for prescription he will give u paracetamol 😒 don't tell them what u need or what u want, u r not in a restaurant , the doctors take their studies and professionalism seriously here, u won't find any doctor who will agree with ur "opinion" on medication or treatment. I don't think it's different in others countries in Europe too🙂

[@YumikoMayamine]

"You know your body best" actually most people don't. Google research =/= 8 years of studies and experiences. And I'm talking of someone who has a lot of physical problem and see a lot of doctor.

[@alfredopampanga9356]

Mam, you are seriously in need of correction. You don’t understand the structured nature of a medical appointment. It’s not a random chat. If your doc is any good , he will be proceeding in steps that he / she was taught to do. You may not be aware as the doc changes gear but that’s what’s happening. If you intrude on the process with well intended suggestions, the doc will lose his place and , if you persist ,will rile him. Unbeknownst to you , receive a deficient service.

[@iparipaitegianiparipaitegi4643]

Vous êtes inutilement agressif envers qq’un qui essaie d’aider les anglophones à savoir comment se comporter dans un cabinet médical. Et contrairement à ce que vous avez compris, Diane leur dit de rester sobre lors de l’entretien avec le médecin.

[@lisafogler3981]

As someone who has lived in France for 26 years I have to say that some of this is simply not true. First, take out your wallet at the beginning, by all means. Nobody is offended by this. In fact, since we use a Carte Vital you have to give it to them at the beginning of the appointment (not always but seems like most of the time for me)....guess where you keep that? In your wallet! So, I don't know where she got that from. And by all means BRING A CHECKBOOK OR CASH! Many specialists don't take credit cards and you'll be embarrassed. And it depends on the doctor. Your Generalist will accept your "Carte Bleue". Some of your Specialists will, but many won't. Your Osteopath may not (like a Chiropractor). I have more that don't accept a credit card than do accept one. So, again, BAD ADVICE. And NOBODY "expects" their doctor to speak English "fluently". But, you will find that most can speak it well enough to understand everything. So, just ask politely. Her statement that "the vast majority of health professionals will not be able to converse with you" is LAUGHABLE. Most Medical Professionals speak much better English than the average French person NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE. So disrespectful and false...and...Weird advice. I know about this because I have a rare genetic disease and many many problems and I spend my time with all kinds of different Specialists. Again, just ask politely and you will find they will bend over backwards to help you. Most know every medical term in English and READ MEDICAL REVIEWS IN ENGLISH, even write articles in English. Then after that bad advice she actually mentions Doctolib, which she could have just said from the start since it is THE way to find a doctor in France and you can search for English speaking ones. In fact, googling and using Doctolib you can avoid misunderstandings about payment methods and who speaks English, and who takes new patients.

[@lynnlamothe3724]

I would not get along well with the doctors in France. They sound very arrogant. I don't put up with that!

[@IronFreee]

Yes, you tell them how to do their job ! Last time my doctor told me to sit. How dare he? Then, after touching me and osculating me he told me I was sick, how arrogant is he to do that? They think they know better than you because they studied 10 years...

[@philipperoche2577]

@@IronFreee +1

[@iappreciatethat7184]

Your little research on the internet doesn't matter to them and they are right... they've studied the matter for at least 10 years and worked in emergency hospitals before becoming physicians. If you think you know how to cure your disease, keep taking your supplements bought on Amazon and stay out of France !

[@lynnlamothe3724]

@@IronFreee Do you bow down to your doctor and kiss his feet also? Sorry to disappoint you but doctors are mere mortals....in any country

[@IronFreee]

@@lynnlamothe3724 "Do you bow down to your doctor and kiss his feet also" Where did I said that? Doctors can be wrong, I almost died because of a bad diagnostic. They still are more qualified than you. "but doctors are mere mortals....in any country" What a stupid sentence. Building strawmen fallacies won't make you look smarter. Saying French doctors "sound very arrogant" is just plain stupid. How many doctors have you seen in France? I'm not even sure you ever went in France. You are just one of those xenophobes who propagate some of the stupidity he collected... You are one of those "no go zones with sharia law exist in France and the earth is flat" guys.