On 26/02/2008, Jel Coward <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>  The missis and I are wanting to spend some time in France - she is fluent
>  in the lingo and so is our 4 year old.  Me, well I'm a Brit - nuff said -
>  but I am lerning good,  mayz amee.

As a Brit you are entitled to practice in France, but I don't know how
easy it is for Canadians to gain permission. You have to be authorised
by the local Ordre des Médecins in the area that you wish to practice.
I know someone who did this, and she reports: "unfortunately it took
AGES as they asked for lots of paperwork, and more paperwork, and a
bit more... They wanted 4 proofs that I was British and in the end I
had to go to the British Embassy and get a letter." France is a rather
bureaucratic country.
You also have to convince the local OdM that you can speak French,
although in my friend's case this was simply a five minute chat with
Monsieur le Président.

GPs work as single-handers or in small groups. The only source of
revenue is the consultation fee, €22 for a surgery consultation and a
bit more for visits. Repeat prescriptions don't exist as such, the
patient will have a review consultation every 2 months at which the
next prescription is issued. The GP will do all the diabetic checks,
and only doctors can give vaccinations.

Most French GPs want to work in towns or cities, so many rural areas
are desperate for GPs. It would probably be better for you to join a
group practice rather than try to set up as a single hander. The sale
of goodwill is not illegal in France, but increasingly retiring GPs
are finding it difficult to find young GPs to buy their practices -
"le droit de présentation à la clientèle" I think it's called, so
better not to pay if you don't have to. You can find a list of small
ads here:
http://www.annonces-medicales.com/anncatlist.php?c=33&t=1

Associations - partnerships offered
Cessions - retiring GPs wanting to sell their practices
Créations/installations - mostly remote rural communities looking for GPs.
Emplois - mostly hospital jobs

There have been some interesting partnerships offered recently, but
hospital jobs may be a better bet if you only want to stay for a
relatively short period.

-- 
Michael Leuty
Nottingham, UK