81% of first-year medical students say they are more stressed since the reform of access to health studies

In a study revealed exclusively by franceinfo, Fage (federation of general student associations), draws up a “failure report” of this reform dating from 2020.

After the 2020 reform of access to health studies, 81% of first-year medical students surveyed said they were more stressed since entering PASS (specific health access course) or LAS (health access license) , according to a study by Fage, published Monday April 29 and which Franceinfo reveals exclusively. The PASS and LAS courses have replaced the first year common to health studies (Paces).

This reform, which establishes two entry routes to medical studies, was intended “main objectives: improving student success, reducing psychosocial risks and diversifying student profiles”but the Fage draws “an acknowledgment of failure” of this reform.

She denounces “the pressure and the rhythm” of these training courses which “push students to consider stopping their studies”. They are 42% “want to stop during the year”, according to this survey. La Fage also deplores “the selection, the pressure of these very dense years and the lack of support for students”. 36% of them feel “isolated”what “creates harmful conditions for their experience and academic success”supports this investigation.

Too big a difference in levels

In the spirit of the reform, the passage through the LAS (access license) was intended to facilitate the continuation of studies for candidates who had not been able to access the second year of medicine, but there is too much large difference in levels between the two access routes.

Thus, 43% of second year health students called MMOKP (midwifery, medicine, odontology, pharmacy, physiotherapy) feel a difference in level between students from PASS and those from LAS. This “the latter includes a minority of health education compared to the PASS route”castigates Fage.

Consequently, the Federation of General Student Associations calls for “a unique path in health studies consisting of a license” with a way “comprising many units allowing further studies” in the second year only “teaching units” allowing students to make a different choice. The association asks the State to take “consider the mental health of students in the next reform model”the increase in “number of places” in the second year” and better support for students.

Methodology: To carry out this survey, Fage collected 13,000 responses from students currently (majority of responses) in PASS/LAS or who were there last year. The consultation was distributed online via student associations during the month of March 2024.