[Patient information. First evaluation]

The recent harmonisation of the jurisprudence between the Court of Appeal and State Council has affected medical responsibility because it is now the physician's obligation to prove that the information to the patient has been properly given: it is, therefore, a current issue. A first evaluation was undertaken to determine the modalities of patient information in cardiology by an enquiry of cardiologists working in the public and private sectors. The results show that information to patients was given concerning complementary investigations such as exercise stress testing, transoesophageal echocardiography, coronary angiography and cardiac pacing; the information was more often given for invasive procedures. In the great majority of cases (92%), it is the prescribing or operating physician who gives this information, usually the day before the procedure, with complementary oral explanations in about 90% of cases. Patient information, therefore, seems to be well done by cardiologists. However, the proof of information is not always easy, written consent, signed by the patient, not being compulsory at present.