University of Paris1 Pantheon-Sorbonne (France) Doctor Prudhomme, closer to the students

Emergency doctor and specialist in gynecology, Muriel Prudhomme has worked in various local communities. Throughout her career, she has managed several health structures, including the Pierre Rouquès – Les Bluets hospital in Paris. In 2021, she left the City of Paris and became doctor-director of the student health service (SSE).  

The SSE is a service shared between several universities: Paris Cité, Sorbonne Nouvelle and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. Thirty higher education establishments are also associated with it. This service offers consultations in many areas. Prevention and care are the key words. By evolving at the head of the SSE, Muriel Prudhomme has chosen to return to an audience that she particularly appreciates, the students.  

Why did you decide to work with students?  

Muriel Prudhomme: I worked a lot on the health of the new generation. I work on issues of violence and psychotrauma suffered by young people. Being at the end of my career, I was interested in coming back to an audience with whom I like to work and with whom there are many possible projects.  

What is the ESS? 

Muriel Prudhomme: This SSE is the result of the desire of three universities to implement a common health policy for students, which is quite innovative. By pooling the strengths of more than thirty higher education establishments, we have more resources. This also makes it possible to manage a health centre, and therefore to have a wider consultation offer.  

How can a student approach you? 

Muriel Prudhomme: You have to make an appointment on Doctolib, whatever the type of consultation. But in case of emergency, a student can always present himself to our professionals.  

Why can he come to see you?  

Muriel Prudhomme:If a student has a disability or a chronic illness, he can come to see us to benefit from study and exam accommodation. We also have a significant demand for support regarding mental health, especially since the health crisis. If a student is not well, if he is under a lot of pressure, if he feels alone, he can consult our psychologists or benefit from the student psychiatric voucher. We offer, with the health center, consultations in general medicine, gynecology and soon tobacco and nutrition. It is also possible to do screenings for sexually transmitted infections without an appointment and to obtain emergency contraception. Financially, it is difficult for many students.   

What are the upcoming projects for the ESS? 

Muriel Prudhomme:The objective for 2023 is to create branches of the health center within the establishments. One of the first achievements will be at the Pierre-Mendès-France center where students will be able to have sexual health consultations with a midwife from January. We also have a health sport project, where sport is seen as a complementary treatment for a chronic illness. This has significant beneficial effects. The chronic diseases that we have identified within the framework of this project are mental suffering and obesity. Students meet the sports doctor, then benefit from individualized sessions with sports educators. This is a twelve-week, renewable commitment. It starts in November. Then, we are going to work on getting back to sport to fight against a sedentary lifestyle in order to help students find the physical activity they like. We also have projects concerning prevention on sexual health, but also on addictions.   

If you had one message for students, what would it be?

Muriel Prudhomme: You have to come and see us. This is an age when students often learn to take care of their health on their own. We’re here to help them learn how to manage their risks and safeguard their health. By consulting, they meet practitioners who have chosen to work with them. We are a structure created for them and to support them. Do not hesitate to contact us.