Incivilités subies par les acteurs de santé à l'hôpital. Aspects éthiques et sociétaux

The sense of civic responsability and the aggessivity due to the lack of that sense is defined. These are ill-defined concepts, particularly boundaries concerned with violence. Closely related concepts such as the struggle for recognition are also defined. Casuistic, epidemiologic and etiologic data are analysed. Until recently, in France, these data were scarcely available. Further ground anthropological and sociological studies are needed. These new studies would serve as basis for a better understanding and for preventive action. Lack of civic sense and the rise of aggressivity towards health care professionals in hospitals raise ethical questions, some of which are addressed. Indeed, this lack of civic sense in French hospitals is not limited to hospital settings and is encountered in other public spaces. But it is particularly shocking if not frightening when it happens in a hospital. The author is of the opinion that prevention could be improved through civic education at home as well as in primary and secondary schools.