France

148
Health systems in transition
France
doctors in hospitals and the rest in private and mixed practices. The density of
psychiatrists was 22 per 100 000 inhabitants in 2012. However, geographical
heterogeneity is high. Although no reliable figures are available, it is estimated
that about 35 000 psychologists work in France, either as salaried employees
or in private practice. Besides the psychotherapies mentioned above, they also
offer psychological support and follow-up in the context of schools or as part
of social welfare provisions.
As a result of the de-institutionalization policy that started in France more
than four decades ago in the 1980s, the vast majority of care in the psychiatric
sector is ambulatory, with 77% of patients over the course of a year treated
exclusively on an outpatient basis (DREES, 2013c). In terms of hospital care,
part-time stays accounted for 89% of hospitalizations in 2011.
Services provided by the health and social care sector for the disabled
People disabled by severe mental illnesses may also receive services from
the health and social care sector for the disabled. Many organizations for
the disabled offer a wide range of services to mentally ill patients, including
housing, health care treatment, professional training, schooling for children,
professional education and sheltered workshops. However, only a few are fully
dedicated to the population with mental illness.
Tables 5.3 and 5.4 show institutions of the health and social sector that
provide services to adults and children with mental health-related disabilities
and the share of the affected population for whom they provide services.