FRANCE Trends and Developments Contributed by: Mathilde Merckx, Xavier Lebrasseur, Juliette Migeon and Diane Courtier, Alchimie Avocats
Challenges and Limitations One of the major challenges highlighted by both public and private stakeholders is digital inclu- sion, ie, ensuring that the digital transition does not deepen existing inequalities. In this context, the 2023–2027 roadmap provides for specific support to vulnerable populations – elderly persons, people with disabilities, those in pre- carious situations or individuals unfamiliar with digital tools. For example, thousands of digital mediators have been trained to assist citizens with Mon espace santé . Collaborations with local authorities aim to bring digital services closer to the public. The second key challenge is data protection and national sovereignty. In the context of a globali- sation and standardisation of digital practices, data protection is deemed of paramount impor- tance. The development of a national health identity (“INS”), sovereign data hosting within France and compliance with national cybersecu- rity frameworks (eg, ANSSI’s security protocols) reflect France’s will to protect health data. The Acceleration of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare The use of AI in the life sciences and healthcare sector has significantly increased over the past few years. From streamlining research and development processes to enhancing clinical decision-making and reinforcing access to care, AI has without doubt begun to transform the healthcare system in France. AI now plays a key role in various aspects of healthcare: selecting new drug candidates for clinical trials more quickly, preventing the risks of emerging diseases, accelerating diagnosis by detecting elements or anomalies invisible to
ehealth as a tool for reducing healthcare access inequalities, improving chronic patient monitor- ing and optimising care co-ordination within healthcare facilities. As such, telehealth continues to be supported through public investment, integration into pro- fessional software tools, and promotion of adop- tion among healthcare professionals. Such pro- motion is further evidenced by the simplification of reimbursement procedures through the lat- est Convention Médicale , a contract concluded between the statutory health insurance body and medical trade unions which establishes the regulatory framework for the private practice of medicine. The Big Data opportunity and its risks The use of large-scale health data (Big Data) offers new perspectives in public health, includ- ing real-time epidemiological monitoring, per- sonalised medicine and care pathway optimisa- tion. In France, “5P medicine” (personalised, pre- ventive, predictive, participative, and evidence- based) is significantly expanding. It leverages the volume, variety and velocity of data from connected objects, administrative databases, research findings and digital user behaviours. Despite its potential, Big Data raises significant challenges in terms of data access, quality, cybersecurity, and ethical governance. Further regulatory developments in this area are antici- pated (for example secondary use and GDPR compliance). In addition to the use of the technological break- throughs outlined above, the French digital health programme faces a number of identified challenges and limitations.
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