The organization of psychiatric care in France: Current aspects and future challenges

Abstract

In the last four decades, psychiatric care in France has led to the development of catchment area-based service provision. Within each geographical area teams are now responsible for psychiatric care both at outpatient and inpatient levels. However, financial and economic constraints have led to a reduction in beds and staffing levels. The numbers of psychiatrists in private practice has remained more or less the same over the years due to steady demand and other factors. As in many other western European countries, de-institutionalization has been a major driver in the evolution of psychiatric care delivery in France. This is linked with several developments, including the introduction of more efficient pharmaceutical drugs which have reduced the likelihood of relapse. Other factors which have influenced this include the progressive ‘de-stigmatization’ of psychiatric disorders and policy changes leading to significant bed reduction. All of these factors are inter-linked and have influenced psychiatric care delivery. In this paper we provide an overview of the current state of psychiatric care and its delivery in France.