In France, to become a respirologist, you need to complete a long course of medical studies. This apprenticeship enables students to acquire all the technical skills and human qualities essential to the practice of this profession. This is what we defined in our job description for a lung specialist. Since it's not always easy to find one's way through the many options offered by this course, it was time for us to write an article to help make things a little clearer.
What is a pneumologist?
A pneumologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases. Whether working in a public hospital or a private practice, their role is to heal and support patients throughout the entire care process. Thanks to cutting-edge technology and the highest standards, they are able to handle a wide range of cases, from the most benign to life-threatening emergencies. It is this expertise that lung specialists value through their long studies.
How to become a pneumologist?
General medical studies
Before entering higher education, aspiring respirologists must obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Once this has been completed, students wishing to pursue health studies can choose between two options:
- The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
- Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with 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 pass can go on to study in the health sector.
- Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they so wish, trying their luck again.
- The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.
- The Licence with Health Access (L.AS)
- Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course 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 exams. Depending on their performance, they may be rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
- The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, encouraging skills development and reorientation.
After the PASS or the L.AS (see above), general medical studies are divided into two parts:
- The Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : a three-year course (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) comprising theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical placements in hospitals.
- Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM): a direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course of study incorporating specialist courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.
Externship examinations
During the final year of the second cycle, students must pass a series of tests which, depending on their results and rankings, will enable them to choose their specialty, as well as their city. Here's the list:
- Épreuves dématérialisées nationales (EDN): these take place in October and account for 60% of the final grade. To pass, students must obtain a mark of at least 14/20 in the theoretical knowledge required by all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
- Objective and Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE): these are held in May and account for 30% of the final grade. They test students' ability to develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The minimum mark is 10/20.
- University course mark: this continuous assessment takes into account the student's commitment, curriculum, mobility and level of English, and accounts for 10% of the final mark.
Specialization in pneumology
Once they have completed their general medical studies , students specializing in pneumology enter a five-year residency program. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:
- Theoreticaltraining : interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of pulmonology. They attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
- Practicaltraining : Respirology interns participate in the work of various health services.
Respiratory interns must also write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, interns are awarded the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Pneumologie (DES).
Want to find out more? Find out more on our pneumologist salary page!
Further training
Once you've obtained your DES and registered with the Ordre des Médecins, you can continue your training to specialize in pediatric respirology, pneumo-allergology or pneumo-oncology, and enhance your skills and know-how on the job market .
The skills needed to become a pneumologist
By the end of their academic career in pulmonology, students must have mastered techniques such as spirometry, blood gasometry and the interpretation of medical images. They also need to be well-informed about drugs specific to respiratory diseases, such as bronchodilators and corticosteroids, as well as prescribing and monitoring treatment.
Playing an important role in the detection and prevention of serious respiratory diseases, notably lung cancer, the pulmonologist must be able to manage the long-term follow-up of chronic diseases, continually adapting treatments and advising patients on the necessary lifestyle adjustments.
Finally, training will enable them to acquire essential human skills such as empathy, listening and communication. They will also need to know how to manage stress and emotions, remain patient and perseverant in the face of the challenges of long-term follow-up, work effectively in a team and make informed decisions about their patients' health.
Career opportunities and prospects
Pulmonologists' careers are rich in opportunities, both in terms of practice structures and specializations. Pulmonologists can work in public hospitals, private clinics, private practices or rehabilitation centers.
These locations will enable these specialists to vary their tasks and therefore their daily routine, to offer a rich and fulfilling career over the long term.
In short, pulmonology studies are among the most difficult in the French university system. Fortunately, the 11 years of study required to become a pneumologist lead to a rich and fulfilling career. It's a profession full of discoveries to be made, cases to be treated and variations. It is one of the most complex medical specialties, but also one of the most sought-after and respected. All of which justifies the high level of expertise expected during the academic curriculum.