- A hundred retired doctors from the Alpes-Maritimes have joined forces within the SOS Papy Médecin platform.
- They respond to requests from patients via their Facebook page, and soon by phone.
- At the origin of the project, Dr Gérard Muller recalls that the vocation is not to replace the emergencies or the treating physicians.
The “young kids” are in their sixties, the “oldest” have crossed the 80s mark. They have worn the blouse all their professional life, they now have white or graying hair, but they are still there to help population. These health fighters are the "Papys Doctors".
Avoid carnage
110 of the 680 retired doctors in the Alpes-Maritimes responded to the call from Dr Gérard Muller, relayed by the Council of the Order and the Union of Doctors of the Alpes-Martimes. These generalists, specialists and even teachers resume service voluntarily within the SOS Papy Médecin platform.
“Very quickly when we heard from China, we discovered that the people most affected were the oldest. If we came with the team of volunteers in the field, it would be carnage. That's where the idea came from to help while staying at home, ”explains the emergency doctor who initiated the project.
Take the time to listen
Limited to the duration of stage 3 of the coronavirus pandemic, this device aims to "relieve center 15 by avoiding non-emergency calls", as Dr. Muller points out. “We are not an emergency service, we do not replace doctors, we do not make prescriptions. We are a listening service, which is there to advise worried people and, as soon as an emergency character intervenes in the exchange, we redirect to the center 15 or a practicing doctor ”, specifies the professional.
Armed with their experiences, “grandpa doctors” take the time to dialogue. “When you're with a patient, you have time. We never minimize because everyone has the right to be scared. We try to share our medical experience, to temper. And believe me, right now, it is to render an immense service to allow people who are panicking to regain their calm. "
As proof, Dr. Muller takes the example of this Besançon patient with whom he has been in contact since Wednesday evening: “She thought her doctor was taking her case lightly. After discussion, I recommended that she do what he told her because she had no breathing difficulties. I told her that she had to rest and that I would call her the next day (this Thursday). This morning I got it at 6:40 am She had a good night. "
Available on Facebook and soon by phone
To contact them, a Facebook page has been created. Patients who think they have Covid-19 or suffer from any other pathology can send a message directly or go to the "About" section, click on the list of doctors and choose the one with whom they want to talk. Not being an emergency service, SOS Papy Médecin responds "within a few minutes to a few hours".
At the same time, the Nice Côte d'Azur metropolitan area is working to integrate retired doctors from the French Riviera into the “Nice consultation” system launched on Friday, March 27. The teleconsultation platform, which can be reached every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on 04 97 13 40 80, or by email at niceteleconsultation@nicecotedazur.org, allows patients to contact a doctor when their attending physician is not available. "They will take care of the psychological aspect", details the communications department.
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