[The development of therapeutic education in France: current public policies and treatment options]

Abstract

Therapeutic patient education (TPE) has significantly expanded in the last few years. This article explains the major trends underpinning and supporting its development in France, and how they have rendered it a central place in the system, and provided an integral role for therapeutic education within the wider perspective of medical care and treatment options. The organisation of TPE is analysed and numerous initiatives in hospitals, medical and health care structures, social centres, cities, and non-profit organisations are described. This analysis suggests a range of proposals in order to structure and integrate TPE in a sustainable manner for the long term, as well as to expand the existing initiatives to have a broader reach across the country.