In Albi, a picturesque town in southern France, retired physician Yves Carcaillet sips coffee while recounting his unexpected return to work. Less than a year after retiring from a 50-year career, he's leading a novel initiative: France's first temporary clinic fully staffed by retired doctors.
The project began when Albi's mayor approached Carcaillet to address critical physician shortages. \"We realized there's an untapped resource \u2013 experienced doctors who still want to contribute,\" Carcaillet told reporters. His team now provides affordable care at a fraction of typical costs, leveraging retirees' expertise and willingness to work without high salaries.
France faces a growing healthcare gap, with rural areas like Albi hit hardest. Over 30% of French doctors are aged 60+ according to recent estimates, while medical school graduates increasingly favor urban centers. The retired doctor model offers a stopgap solution. \"It won't solve everything,\" Carcaillet admits, \"but we're proving there's value in experience.\"
As afternoon light filters through Albi's medieval streets, Carcaillet heads to his clinic \u2013 stethoscope back in hand. The experiment could inspire similar efforts nationwide as France confronts an aging population and evolving healthcare demands.
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France turns to retired doctors to address medical staffing shortfall
cgtn.com
