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SKEMA Publika releases a new study on medical deserts in France
SKEMA Publika has released a new analysis on the spread of medical deserts in France and the tools available to improve access to healthcare. The study forms part of the work carried out within the SKEMA – Université Côte d’Azur Chair “Prevention and Access to Care”, led by Benjamin Montmartin, Professor of Econometrics and Data Science at SKEMA Business School.
SKEMA Publika has released a new analysis on the spread of medical deserts in France and the tools available to improve access to healthcare. The study forms part of the work carried out within the SKEMA – Université Côte d’Azur Chair “Prevention and Access to Care”, led by Benjamin Montmartin, Professor of Econometrics and Data Science at SKEMA Business School.
Co-authored with Sean Scull, Project Officer at the SKEMA Publika think tank, and produced under the scientific supervision of Frédérique Vidal, Director of Development at SKEMA Publika, the study highlights a troubling trend. A significant share of the population now lives in areas with an insufficient medical offer. The concentration of doctors in large urban centres, the rise in extra billing, and the decline in medical density across 69 départements are widening both geographical and financial inequalities, the policy paper notes.
Limited impact of incentive-based policies
The authors show that voluntary policies – bonuses, tax exemptions, various forms of support – have failed to halt the spread of medical deserts. Research conducted by Benjamin Montmartin shows that doctors respond chiefly to local behavioural norms, which limits the effect of financial incentives. Regulatory measures, already applied to other health professions, appear more effective in correcting territorial imbalances.
Compare, understand, act?
The study reviews approaches taken in Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada, Australia and the United States. It highlights varied organisational models that offer different levers to improve territorial equity in access to care.
It also sets out several recommendations:
- strengthen regulation on the establishment of medical practices,
- improve the structure of existing incentive schemes,
- adapt medical training to territorial needs.
The work led by Benjamin Montmartin reflects a new area of expertise developed by SKEMA Publika around health policy issues. As a reminder, Benjamin Legros, Professor of Operations Management at SKEMA Business School (Centre for Analytics & Management Science, Grand Paris campus), published a policy paper on reducing congestion in emergency departments in September 2025.
