Introduction to the Agency’s Closure
For the first time, the French Ministry of Health has publicly addressed the future of the Continuous Professional Development (DPC) program. In an exclusive interview with Medscape’s French edition, Romain Bégué, Deputy Director of Human Resources for the Health System at the Directorate General of Health Care Provision (DGOS), confirmed the impending closure of the National Agency for DPC. Despite this closure, the agency will continue managing the program until 2026.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Agency’s Transformation
The Ministry of Health has yet to decide on the various potential scenarios for transforming the agency. While the triennial obligation will be removed for health professions subject to an Order, the DPC will remain a component of the periodic certification requirement. Despite budgetary constraints, Romain Bégué assures that “the transformation of the ANDPC does not put an end to conventional training.”
Continuity and Support for Agency Staff
In 2026, the process will remain unchanged, and the ANDPC will continue to manage the DPC. Romain Bégué stated that no closure date has been set yet, but a transformation process has begun. The Interministerial Directorate for Public Transformation (DITP) is currently assisting the Ministry of Health in exploring different scenarios and timelines.
Additionally, the situation of each ANDPC staff member will be analyzed to offer personalized support, ensuring they find a place in the future system.
Recommendations and Stakeholder Demands
The General Inspectorate of Social Affairs (IGAS) has conducted a thorough diagnosis and recommends this transformation. Many health professionals have consistently urged political authorities to evolve the governance of the DPC, as reflected in public press releases. Stakeholders have been calling for this transformation.
While the ANDPC staff has done quality work and implemented robust tools, the DPC’s results have fallen short of expectations. Questions about the integration of the DPC with the new periodic certification obligation have arisen, highlighting the need to reform its implementation.
Clarifications on Misconceptions
Romain Bégué clarified that the double obligation of DPC and periodic certification will be eliminated for ordered professions. Sandrine Pautot has been appointed as the project director for the evolution of continuous professional development and periodic certification of health professionals within the DGOS. She will retain her role within the DGOS, overseeing these projects for the Ministry. A new director will be appointed to lead the ANDPC, succeeding Mme Lenoir-Salfati.
Budgetary Considerations and Legislative Changes
In 2026, the process will remain the same, with the ANDPC continuing to manage the DPC. The year 2026 will also serve to define and prepare the conditions for this transformation. No scenario has been decided at this stage, and the DITP is currently supporting the Ministry of Health in exploring various scenarios, assessing their pros and cons, and enabling a political decision based on these findings.
The elimination of the double obligation for ordered professions requires legislative changes, which means the Parliament controls the timeline. The DPC will remain a component of the certification obligation for ordered professions. For other non-ordered professions, the DPC obligation is expected to continue.
Financial Adjustments and Training Formats
In 2025, the budget was exhausted by summer. The budget was adjusted within the framework of the PLFSS by parliamentarians. The exact budget for 2026 will be known once the LFSS is promulgated. The PLFSS 2026, definitively adopted, sets the funding for the ANDPC at a maximum of 215.87 million euros for 2026, the same amount as in 2025.
Due to budget constraints, measures were implemented to allow as many professionals as possible to participate in DPC activities within the allocated budget. In-person activities require compensation for lost work time, as they occur during professionals’ working hours. Some e-learning activities take place outside of working hours and are covered but do not warrant compensation for lost work time since participants retain their usual income.
Future Developments and Monitoring
A final decree will be published in the coming weeks, detailing the control modalities for the periodic certification obligation and establishing an information system to track each professional’s progress in their certification program. The Council of State recently reviewed this decree.
The Orders are responsible for verifying compliance with the periodic certification obligation. Disciplinary sanctions may be imposed for non-compliance, potentially leading to a ban on practice, but several intermediate steps are in place to facilitate compliance.
In the absence of an information system, this information is not yet available. The information system authorized by the upcoming decree will provide this measurement tool.
The transformation of the ANDPC does not end conventional training. Given the current public finance constraints, it is essential to ensure the proper use of public funds. It is also necessary to verify that the results of continuous training justify the investments and support an improvement in the quality of practices for the benefit of patients.
🔗 **Fuente:** https://francais.medscape.com/viewarticle/suppression-lagence-du-dpc-dgos-pr%C3%A9cise-2025a1000zs4