ABSTRACT
The French hospital system is basically a public one financed by the National Ministry of Health. There are a few private hospitals that provide specialized services, especially for chronic care. Relations between patients and their families and the medical team principally reflect the personality of the chief of service. In general, relations between patients, families, and medical staff are good. Fortunately, only few physicians try to maintain the old mystique of secrecy in the hope of preserving some distance and leverage. The compulsory French medical social security system is financed by a tax on salaries paid by workers and employers. Each hospital is staffed by a social service department whose mission is to help patients and their families with counselling regarding their civil rights, the steps to receive insurance, disability, and rehabilitation benefits and further disposition regarding after-care, such as nursing home placement and home care.
