title: Hospital based ethics, current situation in France: between "Espaces" and committees.
abstract: Unlike research ethics committees, which were created in 1988, the number of functioning hospital based ethical organisations in France, such as clinical ethics committees, is unknown. The objectives of such structures are diverse. A recent law created regional ethical forums, the objectives of which are education, debate, and research in relation to healthcare ethics. This paper discusses the current situation in France and the possible evolution and conflicts induced by this law. The creation of official healthcare ethics structures raises several issues.
authors.affiliation: Espace éthique/AP-HP, 1 avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France. marc.guerrier@sls.aphp.fr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guerrier
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D026724:Ethical Review; D028741:Ethics Committees, Clinical / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration; D033061:Ethics Consultation / Q000941:ethics; D004991:Ethics, Institutional; D005602:France; D006761:Hospitals