Faced with the persistent shortage of healthcare professionals in certain areas, the government has announced a targeted relaxation of the regulations governing telemedicine. Previously limited to 20% of a practitioner's activity, remote consultations will now be able to exceed this limit in several specific situations, in order to facilitate access to care for those furthest removed from the healthcare system.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist justified this change by citing the need to better meet the needs of people without a primary care physician, residents of rural areas, and also dependent, disabled, or mobility-impaired patients. Retired doctors, locum doctors, doctors with disabilities, or those facing specific personal constraints, such as parenthood, will also benefit from these exemptions.
A strengthened tool against under-resourced areas
Another notable change: teleconsultations conducted with the support of a healthcare professional alongside the patient will no longer count towards the doctor's maximum quota. This practice, expected to expand particularly in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, aims to reduce unnecessary travel and alleviate pressure on emergency services.
While specialized platforms welcome this as a strong political signal, highlighting France's lag behind its European neighbors in telemedicine, the government insists on the need for continued vigilance. Certain practices will still need to be regulated, or even reassessed, to ensure that teleconsultation remains a tool for accessing healthcare and not a commercial exploitation.
