Like many fellow doctors, Youssef*, 31, is on call and on call in a hospital in the Paris suburbs. And when his department head is absent, he replaces him himself. However, Youssef earns half as much as his colleagues. The reason: he obtained his medical degree in Algeria, and is therefore considered an “associate attached practitioner”.
During his press conference on Tuesday evening, Emmanuel Macron affirmed his wish to “regularize a number of foreign doctors, who sometimes hold our healthcare services at arm’s length”; doctors left “in administrative precariousness which is completely ineffective”. Youssef, who left Algeria four years ago, is one of them. A member of Ipadec, a union bringing together doctors with foreign qualifications, he agreed to tell his daily story to 20 minutes.
A service that holds thanks to foreign doctors
Before arriving in France, Youssef studied medicine for nine years in his country. Seven years of general medicine, followed by two years of specialization. Although he does not have the title of doctor in France, he nevertheless has the diplomas… and the tasks.
Among the seven doctors in his current department, five are foreigners. And the only two French doctors work two half-days per week. “If we are not renewed, the service will close,” assures Youssef. Because the needs are enormous. The service receives around fifty patients per day, including 18 hospital beds. “With our presence, we are already unable to remedy the lack of doctors in the region. My consultation schedule is full until at least August. »
No more residence permit
Youssef does not have the same status as his French colleagues. Nor the same salary. “I am paid two or two and a half times less than French doctors. » With days “twice as intense and three times as stressful”. “We know we’re competent, but we always have to prove it by putting in a ton of effort. My last day off was December 25th. If we are not essential, why would we work so much? »
Since his arrival, the doctor has had a series of fixed-term contracts. Only problem: he no longer has a residence permit. His file has been under investigation at the prefecture since November 8, and his old title expired on December 25. So Youssef always travels with his renewal application certificate with him. “It’s constant stress. »
A competition to pass, with quotas
A situation which has recently worsened with the entry into force of the law establishing knowledge verification tests (EVC) to be able to continue to practice. This selective competition is reserved for practitioners who have obtained their diploma in a non-EU member state, with quotas depending on each specialty. Youssef passed it. Without success. “I have just worked 25 days without interruption. How do you prepare for a competition when you work 60 hours a week? It’s impossible. »
Youssef is also surprised by this knowledge check. “We make fun of the French by saying that we treated them for years with doctors who did not have the skills. During the Covid-19 crisis, we were on the front line. We have proven ourselves. We are not going to start back at square one by repeating competitions. »
According to the SNPADHUE, the National Union of Practitioners with a diploma outside the European Union, 80% of “foreign doctors” already practicing in France have not obtained their EVC. Practitioners whose contract will not be renewed, or even interrupted. “The department heads are united and are fighting with us,” assures Youssef. Petitions are circulating and a demonstration is planned for this Thursday at 2 p.m. in front of the Ministry of Health in Paris.
A helping hand from the government expected
But the Algerian doctor maintains a hint of hope. “Tuesday evening, Emmanuel Macron spoke of the precariousness in which we found ourselves, and he recognized that there was a dysfunction. » The practitioner is now waiting for only one thing: a helping hand. “Our fate and that of thousands of patients are in the hands of the government.” The doctor would like practitioners in his situation to be able to be tenured without having to retake the competitive exam. A transitional system called “Stocks”, which existed before the law of July 24, 2019 relating to EVCs.
“If it were up to me, I would take my luggage and go to Switzerland,” he assures. The salary is three times higher and I would have the assurance of being a Swiss doctor in three years. » But Youssef is not alone. He is married to a French woman. “I chose to immigrate but not my wife, who has all her relatives here. It would be unfair to force him to leave his country and experience the same thing as me. » Especially since the family will soon be growing. This Wednesday, Youssef learned the sex of his future baby. On Thursday, he will demonstrate with his colleagues, to allow him to grow up in France.