The “prescription” issued by Emmanuel Macron does not suit them – or is not enough for them. In the ranks of liberal doctors, and particularly in those of the “Doctors for tomorrow” collective, which has called for mobilization several times in recent weeks, concern has not waned since the presidential wishes to the world of health, Friday January 6 .
“Better pay” liberal doctors is part of the commitments made by the Head of State, but as soon as they “ensure continuity of care”, including guards, and “caring for new patients”. The presidential announcement echoes the strategy of “rights and duties” defended at the Ministry of Health. If it is not easy to grasp for the representative unions, it is even less so for the members of the collective, which is not.
“We want freedom and fee-for-service to be an employer and develop our practices, says Dr. Christelle Audigier ; the President of the Republic implies packages, subsidies and coercion… He has added fuel to the fire! » The young woman, who works in the Lyon region, has become the spokesperson for this collective of liberals which emerged, in September 2022, on social networks. Within it, general practitioners, like her, but also pediatricians, psychiatrists… Thirties and forties, in number, but also more seasoned doctors. And, in total, some 16,000 members claimed on his Facebook page today.
A mobilization that is born on social networks
“Doctors for tomorrow”: their name spoke to no one – or almost – before they called, the 1er and December 2, 2022, to close medical practices. A first stroke of brilliance, in a profession that does not have the strike inscribed in its DNA: between 60% and 80% of the liberals participated in these two days of work stoppage, according to the collective, when the Insurance -illness recorded 30% less activity. Six weeks have passed; a new call for mobilization resounded after Christmas; and the collective narrative begins to be written.
They mobilized on Facebook thanks to the ” word of mouth “, they say, via WhatsApp groups, alerts “among colleagues”… The “initial core”, formed around Dr. Audigier, quickly grew, at the rate of “zoom meetings” regular, finding “naturally” relays in each department.
Strength “ social networks has a lot to do with it, reports Benjamin Mongin, 39, general practitioner in the Drôme. “I allowed myself to confide in my daily life, my difficulties… Discovering that there are thousands of us feeling overwhelmed by the pace, the longer days, the administrative tasks, it’s terrible… And at the same time, that good to not feel alone anymore. » He joined the collective in early November 2022.
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