Towards promotion, structuring and acknowledgement of patient education activities in France.

As patient education becomes more and more widespread in use among French health professionals, it is also becoming increasingly structured, but remains very heterogeneous depending on practitioners and institutions. For several years, this activity has been integrated into various professions. Training is becoming more frequent, and care providers show a certain willingness for common though on improvement and evaluation of their practices. At the same time, health institutions show an increasing interest in these activities, which they wish to promote. Significant improvements recently observed by them may finally lead to the professional and financial recognition expected by care providers.