How do you become an anesthesiologist in France?

In France, to become a médecin anesthésiste-réanimateur, it is necessary to follow long études de médecine. This apprenticeship enables the student to acquire all the technical skills and human qualities essential to the practice of this speciality. That's what we said in our micheacute tier médecin anesthésiste. Since it is not always easy to find one's way through the many steps of this course, we thought it essential to write an article to help clarify things.

What is an anesthesiologist?

The médecin anesthésiste-réanimateur is the specialist in pain management, anesthesia before surgery and the réanimation of patients in critical situations. They work in a variety of settings: operating theatres, rehabilitation departments, intensive care units, maternity wards and emergency departments. This medical professional is at the heart of patient safety systems, able to manage extreme emergencies thanks to his or her technical mastery and responsiveness. This expertise is the fruit of a long training course.

How to become a médecin anesthésiste?

Études générales de médecine

Before entering higher education, the aspiring médecin-anesthésistemust obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Once this has been completed, students wishing to pursue health studies can choose between two options:

• Le Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)

• Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Premiée Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major; é a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
• Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
• Those who succeed can enter the health sector.
• Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor's field of study before, if they wish, trying their luck again.
• The PASS approach relieves the pressure associated with the former PACES single entrance exam, while diversifying the student's skills.

• La Licence avec Accès Santé (L.AS)

• Introduced in 2020 in order to diversify the training offer in health studies, the L.AS is a program combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
• At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific examinations. Depending on their performance, they are either rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
• The L.AS enables students to follow a diversified pathway, promoting skills and reorientation.

Après le PASS ou la L.AS (see above), générales de médecine se décomposent en deux parts diplômantes: 

• Le Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : three-year curriculum (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) consisting of theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical internships in hospitals.
• Le Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM) : A direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course that includes specialized courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.

Éend-of-clerkship proofs 

During the final year of the second cycle, students must pass a battery of tests which, based on their results and rankings, will enable them to formulate vœux de spécialit; mais également de ville. Here's the list: 

• Épreuves dématérialisées nationales (EDN): these take place in October and count for 60% of the final grade. In order to pass, students must obtain a mark of 14/20 or higher in the thematic knowledge required by all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
• Examens cliniques objectifs et structurés (ECOS): these are organized in May and count for 30% of the final grade. They test students' ability to develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The minimum mark must be 10/20.
• Academic progress grade: this continuous assessment takes into account the student's commitment, curriculum, mobility and level of English, and accounts for 10% of the final grade.

Spécialisation en anesthésie-réanimation

Once the études générales de médecine completed, students specializing in anesthesia enter a five-year internship. The course is divided into theoretical and practical training:

• Training théoric : interns follow théoric courses covering the various aspects of anesthésie. They attend seminars and conferences to keep up to date with the latest advances and research in the field.
• Training practical : anesthesia interns participate in the activities of various health departments.

In addition, the anesthesia intern must write and defend a thesis in order to earn a doctorate. Upon completion of this specialization, the intern obtains the Diplôme d’Études Spécialis;es en Anesthésie-Réanimation (DES) and can apply for job offers m’decin anesthésiste. 

Further training

After obtaining their DES and registering with the Ordre des médecins, practitioners can pursue further surpécialisation via Diplocirc;mes dÉtudes Spécialis;es Complémentaires (DESC) or DU-DIU in fields such as:

• surgical réanimation
  
• pediatric anesthesia
  
• pain management
  
• obstructive anesthesia
  
• péri-opératory medicine
  

These courses pave the way to positions of high responsibility and provide the opportunity to develop specific expertise.

The skills needed to become an anesthesiologist

The anesthesiologist must:

• maîtrise anesthetic products, intubation, ventilation, and réanimation techniques;
  
• ensure patient safety before, during and after surgery;
  
• anticipate and manage critical situations within seconds;
  
• collaborate with surgeons, nurse anesthetists, emergency physicians, etc.
  

In-depth knowledge of human physiology, medicinal actions and emergency protocols is essential.

The human qualities of the anesthetist

The métier de médecin anesthésisterequires resistance to stress, great composure and a capacity for rapid décision. It also requires empathy and rigor, as patients are often anxious about the approach of an operation. Communication with the rest of the medical team is of course essential, especially in life-threatening emergency situations.

Débouchés and perspectives

Aesthetists can practice in:

• public hôpitaux
  
• private clinics
  
• liberal operating theatres
  
• emergency or emergency services
  

This is a highly sought-after speciality, offering numerous opportunities for advancement, including in teaching or research (see our article on aides à l’installation).

Although the path to this specialty is long (around 11 years), anesthesiology is a rewarding profession at the heart of acute and critical care issues. Every year, it attracts students who are motivated by their technical skills, their adrenaline and the crucial role they play in the care chain.

If you found this article interesting, please also check out our anesthesiologist salary sheet!"