[The development of therapeutic patient education within the regions of France]

Abstract

Therapeutic patient education (TPE) constitutes a new type of prevention and care being offered in France. This article presents a review of its current organisation and status within the country. The work was carried out based upon a questionnaire targeted towards all of the Regional Social Insurance Registry Unions (URCAM). Nearly all of the regions are supported and served by a regional advisory group which most often times facilitated by a representative from the social health insurance office. The development of TPE is situated and structured, for the most part, within the regional public health policy. Training which is specifically targeted for health professionals remains quite erratic. The hospital continues to play an important role and is a driving force, along with the health care networks, in the development of TPE. The close involvement and participation of the general family practitioner and the organisation of high quality, comprehensive care options (through the dissemination of defined criteria and specifications) are the priority areas for action.