Paris
Report
Reporter: Marvin DUENGER (Final Year Medical Student – UCL)
Contact at Destination: Dr Vansteene (psychiatrist)
Year of Visit: 2025
Country: France
Region: Paris (Île-de-France)
Institution: Groupe Hospitalier Universitaire Paris, Site Sainte-Anne
Department: SAS (service suicidologie et addictologie)
Work/ Study undertaken:
Medical students are the first point of call for all physical health problems, so function like F1s in the UK taking histories, examinations and making referrals inside and outside of the hospital. Also interpreted ECGs, assembled discharge paperwork and escalated concerns.
Initially, I observed how the ward functioned in general (handovers, consultations, mealtimes, patient activities, family interviews) and observed consultations. These ranged from suicide risk management, mood disorders, eating disorders, alcohol and drug addiction and often a combination of the above. Towards the end of the internship I led my own consultations with selected patients under supervision.
Found that students are given a lot of responsibilities and have their own unique workload, which really pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me much more confident working in France.
In terms of teaching, I was invited to both medical student and resident doctor (‘intern’) teaching/case discussions taking place up to 3x weekly. Each week a different medical student (‘externe’) prepares a case presentation with multiple choice questions – I asked to present a case in my last week of placement which was a great experience.
For those interested in research projects, this centre is a major contributor to French psychiatric research. Most doctors and even senior professors were warm and approachable, and I ended up getting involved with an ongoing project.
The team at the SAS are young, dynamic and very friendly – a real pleasure to work with. Some roles there include nurses, HCAs, occupational therapists, psychologists and a psychomotrician. I had the impression there was an unending flow of homemade cakes and treats on the staff room table to share!
The hospital complex includes a subsidized canteen which costed 2.80 euros (2025) for a starter dish, dairy product, main dish, bread, dessert and a coffee! Everyone takes lunch quite seriously there, and I had many interesting and pleasant conversations with students and doctors over the long lunches.
The highlight of my placement may have to be the madeleine-baking workshop for patients led by the head chef of the Elysée Palace! Such a cool experience even if I have not yet mastered the dome shape yet…
Description of Destination: I stayed with family friends in the 11e district of Paris and cycled to work every day (~20/25 minutes). I love cycling but Paris doesn’t seem to love cyclists! Definitely need to be careful but it was worthwhile to save the commute money and enjoy the fresh morning air.
I really enjoyed living in Paris for a couple of months. It’s a very culturally vibrant city whose cultural events are relatively affordable. Small theatres do shows starting from 10/20 euros, many museums are free, there are lots of public spaces to sit and sunbathe by Seine and it’s totally acceptable to buy a coffee, wine or meal by yourself and to sit and read. Food markets are a big deal in Paris, and their produce is usually fresher and cheaper than the small supermarket chains dotted around the city. And the best thing are the bakeries! The best bakeries that I tried sold exquisite pastries (big up Brigat in the 11eme and their Chausson aux pommes) for less than the price of a tube ride in London.
Were locals friendly? Paris is such a big city – and as such there are always a variety of people. Within the hospital everyone was lovely, and I had some nice discussions with shop vendors etc. At the same time it’s definitely a big city vibe with all the riches and pitfalls that involves. Having said that only one Parisian switched to English after I butchered some words!
Was it safe? Generally yes, there are areas of the city to watch out for as with any big city – mostly around train stations (Gare du Nord). I never felt in danger but it’s worth being prudent.
What did you do in your spare time? I’m very lucky to have lots of family and friends to visit in France thanks to my other half. I spent many weekends visiting people but when I stayed I went to the theatre, trained at the local grappling club, read books on the bank of the Seine, visited museums and attractions like Notre Dame and had a drink or meal with visiting friends/family.
Time of year and climate? My elective was from March to May, which in my opinion is the most beautiful time to be in Paris. It’s a pleasure to watch the city explode into blossoms in late March. And by the time the floor is littered with brown petals the green buds have sprouted and it’s gorgeous! Generally not cold but not too hot either with a really nice spring sunlight.
Accommodation? I stayed with family friends in their flat in Paris.
How did I get there? Eurostar both ways London St Pancras to Paris.
Medically useful?
Absolutely, you realise that beyond the individual word choices or the pesky translations, that the medicine really is the same (for the most part, maybe with the exception of chronic hallucinatory psychosis…). I learnt tons of useful knowledge about the presentation, aetiology and management of a number of bread-and-butter psych conditions like bipolar, depression and alcohol addiction.
I got lots of useful feedback on my interview technique from experienced psychologists an doctors, and got to pick their brains on lots of very interesting cases.
There’s also an intriguing cultural specificity in France around philosophy and psychoanalysis which is not so present in the UK.
French Improved? Absolutely. It’s impossible not to live in French for 7 weeks and come away unchanged! At the beginning I was straining to follow fast-paced morning handovers. Towards the end of placement I felt confident enough to contribute to the morning handover, which surprised me very much. The quantity of language exposure this psych placement was incredible, and I felt really pushed at some points. I received lots of feedback on my written French when I volunteered to write up consultations I had seen for doctors, who would then go through them with me. Everyone was open to help with questions that I had.
Overall Cost? For 7 weeks, excluding accommodation and food. Travel = £250, Other/leisure = £500
