The UCLy Health Center, made up of several services, supports students in their daily lives regarding all aspects of health — physical, mental, and social.
Discover the testimony of Marie-Charlotte BOURDEL, the university physician at UCLy, and read what she has to say about this center and the various types of support it offers.
Hello, I am Marie-Charlotte BOURDEL, a physician at the Catholic University of Lyon. I followed a traditional path in general medicine before turning to preventive medicine here at UCLy.
Could you describe what preventive medicine is?
Preventive medicine includes several levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
At UCLy, we mainly practice primary prevention, which means acting before diseases appear. For example, we discuss topics such as sleep-wake balance to help prevent disorders related to lack of sleep. We conduct prevention campaigns and raise awareness about general health issues such as sexual health, sleep, nutrition, and all aspects of overall well-being that support a balanced daily life.
The Health Center encompasses other services offered to our students. Could you tell us more about the center as a whole?
The UCLy Health Center brings together several complementary services dedicated to students’ well-being:
• A psychologist provides the Point Écoute service. They do not conduct psychotherapy but offer guidance to students facing difficulties, particularly during the sometimes challenging transition from high school to university life. This is a truly important role.
• A nurse is available on campus for daily consultations and to conduct health check-ups. Although not a doctor, she can assess students’ health and refer them to us if any issues arise.
• A midwife offers gynecological consultations for young women — at an age when taking care of one’s health is especially important.
• A Disability Support Officer, whose mission is a central component of the Health Center, assists students with disabilities to help them succeed in their studies. These students may receive accommodations during classes and exams to ensure equal opportunities comparable to those without disabilities.
• Finally, as the university physician, I meet students throughout their academic journey — ideally during their first year — to assess their overall health (physical, psychological, and social), screen for any pathologies, and identify possible disabilities requiring support.
Why is it important for students to have access to all these services?
It’s important because many students live far from home and no longer have access to their regular general practitioner. If they encounter a health problem, they may not know where to turn — but they often come to us more easily.
Students are generally young, healthy, and active, which means they don’t usually consult doctors regularly. However, by offering health check-ups, we can detect underlying physical or mental health issues early and provide timely care.
What would you say to our international students, who may not naturally think to come see you?
They are, of course, more than welcome. We are happy to welcome them too. Even if there is a language barrier, we have digital tools that help overcome it. They should not hesitate to consult us — quite the opposite. It’s important that we meet them so we can identify any health conditions they may have and ensure they receive proper treatment here in France.
To go even further
Founded in 1875, the Catholic University of Lyon is celebrating its 149th birthday in 2024 ! Open on the world and in tune with social evolutions, UCLy has kept growing, creating new programs and sponsoring research at the crossroad between science and humanities.
