French Patients Demand Coordinated Care, Favoring Multidisciplinary Health Centers

A comprehensive study released on March 20, 2026, by the patient advocacy group AVEC Santé, in collaboration with the esteemed Ifop polling institute, has revealed a significant and growing dissatisfaction among French citizens regarding the disorganization of their healthcare journeys. The findings underscore a powerful and unified demand from patients for a more coordinated and integrated approach to medical care.

The core message from the French populace is unequivocal: they no longer wish to navigate the complexities of their healthcare alone. This sentiment is the most striking takeaway from the Ifop study, which paints a clear picture of a healthcare system that remains too fragmented and challenging for patients to effectively coordinate. The current reality is that nearly one in two French individuals believes their medical follow-up lacks adequate coordination. More alarmingly, a substantial three-quarters of patients report that they are personally responsible for bridging the communication gaps between the various healthcare professionals involved in their treatment. This places an immense burden on individuals, transforming them into de facto coordinators of their own health, a role for which they are often ill-equipped and which detracts from their focus on recovery and well-being.

The Fragmented Landscape of French Healthcare

The study meticulously details the myriad of difficulties patients encounter within the current system. These challenges stem from a lack of overarching organizational structure, leading to a piecemeal and often disjointed experience. Patients frequently find themselves acting as the central hub of information, a role that should ideally be managed by a dedicated healthcare team. This burden of coordination is not only stressful but also prone to errors, potentially impacting the quality and timeliness of care.

The data is stark: only a quarter of French citizens report having experienced truly coordinated care. This figure stands in stark contrast to the overwhelming recognition of the benefits of such a system, with over 80% of patients acknowledging its positive impact. This significant disparity highlights a systemic failure to translate understanding of effective care models into widespread patient experience. The implication is that while the theoretical benefits of coordinated care are widely accepted, its practical implementation remains a significant hurdle for the majority of the French population.

Multidisciplinary Health Centers Emerge as a Preferred Solution

In response to this widespread dissatisfaction and the evident shortcomings of the current system, a clear consensus has emerged around the concept of teamwork in healthcare delivery. The Ifop study reveals an overwhelming endorsement for multidisciplinary health centers (Maisons de Santé Pluriprofessionnelles – MSPs). A remarkable 82% of French citizens express a strong desire for the development and expansion of these centers within their local communities. This massive level of support signifies a profound shift in patient expectations and a clear call for a more integrated model of care.

These MSPs are envisioned as hubs where various healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, specialists, nurses, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals, can collaborate under one roof. This co-location facilitates seamless communication, shared patient records, and a holistic approach to patient management. The appeal of MSPs lies in their ability to offer a more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered model of care, directly addressing the fragmentation experienced in the traditional, siloed approach. The study’s findings suggest that the public is actively seeking a more holistic and team-based approach to their health needs, moving away from the traditional model of individual practitioner consultations.

Prevention: A Persistent Weakness in the System

Beyond the immediate issues of coordination, the study also sheds light on a persistent weakness within the French healthcare system: the underdevelopment of preventative care. A significant proportion of patients report that preventative aspects are not adequately integrated into their current medical follow-up. This oversight has tangible consequences, with many individuals expressing a lack of proactive guidance on health maintenance and early disease detection.

Conversely, patients who have benefited from coordinated care consistently report feeling better supported in their health journeys. This observation strongly reinforces the positive impact that a team-based approach has on the overall quality of care and patient outcomes. Coordinated care models inherently lend themselves to more robust preventative strategies, as teams can collectively monitor patient health, identify risks, and implement tailored prevention plans. The contrast between the two groups underscores the missed opportunities in preventative health when care remains fragmented.

A Promising Dynamic, Yet Insufficient Momentum

The concept of MSPs is no longer a novel experiment; it represents a mature and increasingly deployed model of healthcare delivery in France. The study indicates that these centers are already in operation, with a growing number of establishments contributing to a more integrated approach. However, despite this positive momentum, the pace of development is widely perceived as too slow by stakeholders within the sector. The current rate of deployment is not sufficient to meet the escalating demands and expectations of the French population.

This perception of insufficient speed suggests that while the framework for change exists, its implementation faces systemic barriers. These could include regulatory hurdles, funding challenges, or difficulties in recruiting and retaining the necessary diverse range of healthcare professionals. The gap between the recognized need and the current pace of implementation is a critical point of concern for those advocating for improved healthcare accessibility and quality.

A Strategic Imperative for Health Policy

For AVEC Santé, the message is unequivocally clear: the aspirations of patients and the solutions offered by healthcare professionals are converging. The future of French healthcare hinges on recognizing and acting upon this convergence. The challenge extends beyond simply increasing the number of physicians; it demands a strategic reorientation towards organizing care teams capable of delivering comprehensive, integrated, and preventative services.

The ideal healthcare team, as envisioned by the study’s findings and the goals of patient advocacy groups, would be equipped to manage chronic diseases effectively, facilitate seamless transitions between different levels of care, and proactively engage in patient education and health promotion. This requires a shift from a disease-centric model to a patient-centric one, where the individual’s overall well-being and journey through the healthcare system are prioritized.

Multidisciplinary health centers are identified as an immediate lever for improving access to care. However, realizing their full potential requires accelerating their deployment and systematically addressing the existing obstacles to their growth. This includes streamlining administrative processes, ensuring adequate financial incentives, and fostering a culture of interprofessional collaboration. The strategic imperative is to move beyond incremental changes and embrace a transformative approach to healthcare organization.

Key Takeaways for the Future of Healthcare

The findings from the AVEC Santé and Ifop study offer a clear roadmap for the future of healthcare in France. The message from patients is unambiguous: they desire a healthcare system that is simpler, more transparent, and fundamentally more collective in its approach. This translates into a demand for:

• Enhanced Coordination: Patients expect a system where their care is seamlessly managed, with information flowing efficiently between all involved healthcare providers.
• Team-Based Care: The preference for multidisciplinary teams working collaboratively is a dominant theme, reflecting a desire for a holistic and integrated approach to health.
• Proactive Prevention: Patients seek a healthcare system that actively engages in preventative measures, guiding them towards maintaining good health and early detection of potential issues.
• Simplified Navigation: The current complexity of the healthcare system is a major source of frustration, and patients are looking for clearer pathways and easier access to services.

The study’s findings serve as a powerful call to action for policymakers, healthcare providers, and all stakeholders involved in the French healthcare system. Addressing the identified gaps and embracing the preferred solutions, particularly the widespread development of multidisciplinary health centers, is crucial for building a more responsive, effective, and patient-centered healthcare future. The convergence of patient demand and professional solutions presents a unique opportunity for significant reform, one that promises to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for all French citizens. The time for decisive action is now, to transform the current fragmented landscape into a cohesive and supportive healthcare ecosystem.