Summary of Doctolib Study on Medical Appointment Accessibility

Quick Access to General Practitioners

• Date and Time Unchanged: The study by Doctolib reveals that half of the GP appointments are secured within three days, showcasing high accessibility compared to other specialties.

Varied Wait Times Across Specialties

• Pediatricians and Beyond: Following GPs, pediatricians see 50% of their appointments booked in under a week. Dentists and midwives have an 11-day wait, while psychiatrists, gynecologists, and ophthalmologists have longer waits ranging from 16 to 25 days.
• Longest Waits for Dermatologists and Cardiologists: Dermatologists and cardiologists have the longest waiting times, with 36 and 42 days respectively, attributed to the non-urgent nature of most dermatological care and the referral of cardiac emergencies to hospitals.

Impact of Teleconsultation

• Enhanced Appointment Availability: Teleconsultation significantly reduces wait times across various specialties, with general practitioners and pediatricians seeing the median appointment time drop to just one day.

Regional Disparities Highlighted

• Challenges in Specific Departments: The study points out that around fifteen departments in seven regions of France face difficulties, with median delays at least twice as long as the rest of the country for at least three medical professions.

Stability Amidst Challenges

• Steady Appointment Times from 2021 to 2023: Despite increased demand for post-Covid care and a decline in medical demographics, the median times for scheduling appointments have remained stable or improved slightly, which Doctolib views as an encouraging sign.