Mélanie is in her final year of internship: she currently works at Thise and Val-d’Usiers in a nursing home. Does she plan on staying in the region after completing her studies? Yes, she answered without hesitation. “We are in Franche-Comté! When you grow up in the countryside, it is difficult to imagine yourself in the city. And patients in rural areas are also good.”
But these young women do not represent all medical students in the region. According to the Union of Liberal Doctors Union of Regional Health Professionals-URPS, only 35% of doctors trained in Burgundy stay to practice there. This number will be over 50% in Franche-Comté. In short, many people leave the country even though, as URPS summarizes, the region, like many others, is facing “strong demographic tensions within healthcare professions.”
How can we encourage young students in Dijon or Besançon to settle in the region? This question was at the heart of the “Adopt a BFC” day organized by URPS at the Saline d’Arc-et-Senans, the first of its kind. The idea was to bring together interns from the region and offer them a day of meetings and workshops with sector professionals, exchanges with local authorities, not to mention activities and lively evenings. “To promote the advantages of our region,” summarizes Éric Blondet, president of URPS.
“Settle where you feel comfortable”
How do you make a territory attractive? How do you address medical deserts? The aid is numerous: assistance from the region for the establishment of a medical practice or health center, assistance from health insurance for installation in rural areas, very rural areas, or priority areas of urban policy. Many professionals emphasize the quality of life that can be had in the region. This argument was also developed by Marie Nézet, mission manager in the context of the local health contract, watchmaker Country, Pays du Haut Doubs.
The young woman has met all the replacements and interns who have come to work in her area. “More importantly, what we are saying is: do not choose a location based on the money you can make. Your work will be your personal and professional living environment. Sit where you feel comfortable.”
Something that could make Lilas think. The young woman is in her fifth year in Besançon. She wants to settle in the south of France after completing her studies. For the heat but not just: some cities in the south are renowned for the specialty that interests her. She asked herself the question of the day. She will probably stay in Franche-Comté. “Because of the desire for security and tranquility.”