[The new doctor-patient relationship: the advent of "self-diagnosis"]

The doctor-patient relationship has evolved enormously over the years. A series of health crises ("tainted blood", asbestos, etc.) have led patients to distrust their doctors. Associations have been created to defend patients' interests and to enable them to get the information they need. The internet has invaded most French homes, bringing direct information on health problems. New medical legislation has enhanced patients' rights. All these changes have reduced patients' dependency on their doctors, particularly when it come to information, and have led to the advent of "self-diagnosis" and "self-prescription".