A European perspective: common developments, differences and challenges in patient education.

In May 1999, a European meeting was held in Paris on the evolution and developments of patient education. The situation in different European countries and the factors influencing the development and improvement of patient education were discussed. Five categories of factors were identified: research and evidence based standards, the organization of care, training and methodological support, professional value and acknowledgement, funding and place of patient education in health policy. Several common orientations and priorities for the development of patient education have been presented, and are highlighted in this paper.