Statement of Support for French Junior Doctors
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Statement of Support for French Junior Doctors
April 2025
Context
The Junior Doctors Network (JDN) of the World Medical Association (WMA) is closely monitoring the
ongoing debate surrounding a motion from the French Parliament which seeks to better serve medically
underserved areas (“medical deserts”) in the country. The proposed legislative reform aims to address
regional disparities in healthcare access by mandating certain professional obligations for junior
doctors, including compulsory establishment of physicians in designated under-served areas and the
mandatory participation of doctors in the national on-call duty system (“permanence des soins”).
While the intention to strengthen healthcare delivery in underserved regions is understood and
applauded, the affected doctors across the country have expressed their opposition, calling for a model
that respects their freedom of career choice as physicians; one that safe-guards their well-being while
balancing service delivery to the population and protects the individual doctors’ autonomy.
Key Concerns and International Best Practices
1. The proposed restriction on the freedom of establishment violates the civil rights of physicians:
their ability to choose their area/region of practice. International standards, including the WMA Statement on Physicians Well-Being (2015), emphasizes that autonomy in career decisions is
critical for professional satisfaction, workforce stability, and ultimately, the quality of patient
care.
2. The implementation of mandatory on-call duty should take into account compliance with the
European Working Time Directive (EWTD). This is important to prevent burnout among doctors
and to ensure patient safety. Long shifts contribute to fatigue-related errors.
3. The combination of mandatory geographical assignments and compulsory on-call duties may
exacerbate poor working conditions in already pressured settings. Rather than enhancing
service provision, these constraints have the potential to discourage new graduates from
entering or remaining in the profession especially in the field of primary care, more specifically
in the areas that are of the greatest unmet need.
Support for Collective Action
When physicians’ working conditions deteriorate, collective action—including protests—is a legitimate
means of advocacy (WMA Statement on the Ethical Implications of Collective Action by Physicians, 2012; reaffirmed 2022). The WMA JDN stands in solidarity with French junior doctors in their call for
fair employment conditions, just remuneration and professional autonomy. We affirm that healthcare
reforms must be developed in partnership with those directly affected and grounded in respect for the
rights and contributions of medical professionals.
The WMA JDN, together with French junior doctors, call on the French government to engage in
meaningful bilaterals with junior doctor representatives to consider alternative models that align with
both healthcare equity goals and physician well-being, with the ultimate objective of enhancing patient
care.
About the World Medical Association Junior Doctors Network (WMA JDN)
The Junior Doctors Network (JDN) serves as an international platform for junior doctors to facilitate an
open dialogue of global events and activities that are relevant to their postgraduate training and the
World Medical Association (WMA). Its mission is to empower junior physicians to work together towards
a healthier world through advocacy, education, and international collaboration.
You can learn more about the WMA JDN here or contact us at chair.jdn@wma.net.
Subscribe to WMA Press releases here.