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.
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Pulmonologist (M/F) - Aix-en-Provence 13
Liberal
120 000 - 250 000 per year
Bouches-du-Rhône
We are recruiting a pulmonologist (M/F) to join a multidisciplinary practice located in Aix-en-Provence, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, either as a salaried employee or in a private practice capacity. Terms and Conditions - Permanent contract or private practice arrangement - Full-time or part-time The Practice This is a multidisciplinary practice offering comprehensive care for each patient, within an environment designed to ensure practitioners’ comfort and ease of practice. The practice brings together several specialties and a team of allied health professionals, fostering true synergy and seamless coordination centered on the patient. Furthermore, the practice was designed by doctors for doctors, with administrative management fully outsourced, so that each practitioner can devote all of their time to medical practice. Compensation - For this position, your compensation will be determined during the interview, based on your profile and experience. Responsibilities - Consultations and comprehensive patient care - Conducting specialized consultations in your areas of expertise - Coordinating with the multidisciplinary team and allied health professionals - Participation in staff meetings, consultation sessions, and continuing education activities Benefits - Access to Sector 2 reimbursement agreements - Optimal working conditions, designed by doctors for doctors - 100% of your time dedicated to medical practice - Continuing education and teamwork - Flexible work hours That little something extra Aix-en-Provence is the city of a thousand fountains and the home of Paul Cézanne, who tirelessly painted Mont Sainte-Victoire there. Strolling under the plane trees of the Cours Mirabeau, enjoying the Provençal markets, and soaking up the mild southern climate are all part of daily life. With its historic heritage, rich cultural life, and immediate proximity to the Calanques and the Mediterranean, the quality of life here is simply exceptional. Qualifications A pulmonologist with a degree from France or the European Union, who is registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job posting reference: 13037 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Pulmonologist (M/F) - Vallauris, 06
Employee
4000 - 8000 per month
Vallauris
A health center in Vallauris, in the Alpes-Maritimes department, is seeking a pulmonologist (M/F) for a permanent position. The Facility You will join a new medical facility in Vallauris, in the Alpes-Maritimes region. The environment is modern, and the practice is primarily medical in nature, with several specialists on staff and a strong local presence. Additionally, the organization prioritizes high-quality care, with dedicated medical assistants and administrative staff to free up as much time as possible for patient care. Compensation - Compensation of 44% of gross revenue (including social security contributions) Responsibilities - Clinical pulmonology consultations - Conducting and interpreting pulmonary function tests - Interpretation of polysomnography recordings and monitoring of treatment progress - Daily collaboration with nurses and the physician assistant (PA) to support the patient’s care journey Benefits - State-of-the-art technical facilities - Dedicated medical assistants - Full-service administrative support and a well-organized administrative structure - High degree of medical autonomy with no imposed quotas for the number of consultations - High local demand and patient opportunities Equipment - Samsung V7 3D ultrasound machine - Holter ECG - Spirometer - Polysomnography - Topcon OCT - Nidek units - Visual field testing That Extra Special Touch Vallauris is renowned for its expertise in pottery and its artisanal heritage. Located right next to the beaches and the cities of Antibes and Cannes, it offers a pleasant lifestyle that blends the sea and culture. Qualifications A pulmonologist with a degree from France or the European Union, who is registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected]. Job Posting Reference: 12991 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, a leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Pulmonologist (M/F) - Ivry-sur-Seine 94
Liberal
150 000 - 450 000 per year
Ivry-sur-Seine
As part of its business expansion, a dental practice in Ivry-sur-Seine, in the Val-de-Marne department, is seeking a new pulmonologist (M/F) to join as an independent practitioner. Terms and Conditions - Private practice partnership - Full-time or part-time The Practice This is a medical and dental practice located in a new building in downtown Ivry-sur-Seine. The premises include three dental offices, with a dental treatment room, and three medical offices, all with windows. In addition, two general practitioners are already practicing there, and on-site administrative and reception services are provided to facilitate the scheduling of appointments. Compensation - 75% of revenue Responsibilities - Conduct scheduled and unscheduled pulmonology consultations - Manage sleep-related breathing disorders and interpret polysomnography results - Interpret additional tests such as ECGs, EMGs, and Holter monitors - Supervise and collaborate with medical assistants conducting pre-consultations and examinations - Provide ongoing care for existing patients and contribute to the growth of the practice Benefits - Renovated facilities with windows - Multidisciplinary team with doctors and specialists already on staff - Desmos software and appointment scheduling via Doctolib - An established patient base that has been in place for several years, ensuring a steady flow of patients - Option for full-time or part-time work, with flexible arrangements based on your preferences The equipment EFR treatment room That little extra Ivry-sur-Seine offers direct access to Paris and pleasant riverbanks along the Seine, perfect for after-work strolls. Additionally, the city boasts a vibrant local scene with markets and a rich cultural calendar. Qualifications Pulmonologist with a degree from France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting Reference: 12900 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides you with free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our website and the Jober Group mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
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