France

In France more than a third of people use some form of medecine differente (alternative medicine) or medecine douce (gentle medicine), says a recent survey. The most popular forms are homoeopathy, acupuncture, phytotherapy, thermalism, osteopathy, and chiropractic.

Homoeopathy, the leading branch, is practised predominantly by doctors and in some public hospitals. The 10 000 or so doctors who use homoeopathy have studied it during their medical training, which is funded by the state.

The Academy of Medicine is sceptical about the value of homoeopathy, yet it remains popular and supports successful homoeopathic pharmaceutical companies such as Boiron and Dolisos. Acupuncture, phytotherapy, auriculotherapy, and aromatherapy are also widely practised by doctors, and acupuncture is taught in some medical faculties. Some of these treatments are also practised, illegally, by self appointed healers.

France, like Germany, is a country of spas, with their associated discipline of thermalism. These treatments are largely prescribed by doctors, who select spas specific to rheumatological, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, renal, or digestive diseases. In some cases spa treatment is partly reimbursed by health insurance.

Around 200 doctors have some training in chiropractic. In fact, it is illegal for anyone other than a doctor to practise chiropractic, despite the existence of the French Institute of Chiropractic in Paris. In reality, however, non-medical chiropractors are usually tolerated as independent professionals, with osteopaths enjoying a similar status.

Both complementary and conventional consultations are paid for by the patient, but whereas conventional interventions are fully reimbursed by insurance, non-conventional treatments and medicines are only partly reimbursed. Research into complementary treatments is sparse and disorganised.

Despite an apparent resurgence of popular interest in complementary medicine, French doctors remain sceptical. French cardiac surgeon Christian Cabrol summarised medical opinion thus: “It is better to train good doctors and educate the public than to give in to the irrational and generate extra expense. Would you climb into a plane piloted by a non-professional?” —ALEXANDER DOROZYNSKI, medical journalist, Paris